MP joins Joan for her landmark birthday
Family, friends and Slough’s MP joined 100-year-old Joan Gillham to celebrate her landmark birthday.
The centenarian, who lives at the Windmill Care Centre, in Bath Road, was surrounded by grandchildren and great grandchildren as she turned 100 on April 22.
Known to her family as Bubbles due to her auburn curls, Joan grew up in Stoke Poges where her father had a job as head gardener at Stoke Poges Golf Club.
After leaving school aged 14, Joan went to work at Horlicks where she continued to work during the war.
In 1948 she married Gordon, the youngest of five brothers from Chalvey, at Stoke Poges Church.
The couple lived in Chalvey and had two children – Graham and Linda who were born ten years apart, before moving to Cippenham in 1970.
A stalwart member of the Cippenham Royal British Legion, after his passing in 1987, Joan continued to enjoy the company and friendship of fellow members well into her nineties through attending the weekly bingo and raffle and joining the annual Remembrance Day parade.
She lived independently well into her nineties and moved into Windmill Care Centre in 2020.
Vanessa Cabulong, manager at Windmill Care Centre, which is part of the Maria Mallaband Care Group, said: “It was such a privilege to throw a huge birthday bash for Joan – she is a warm and wonderful person and truly deserves a huge fuss.
“She loved her special day and it was so special to have so many of her family members all here together.
“It was a wonderful occasion, made all the more special by a visit from our MP Tan Dhesi.”