Marjorie, 109, says ‘five good rules’ are key to long life
ONE of the UK’s oldest people has said that at 109 years old, she could beat the Chasers.
Marjorie Hodnett, affectionately known as “Auntie Marj” was born on April 1, 1914, and credits her longevity to her genetics as she has centenarians on both sides of her family.
Born in Harlesden, London, Marjorie moved to Formby in 2020 and said she enjoys spending her days watching the popular game show.
Marjorie said that her goal for reaching 109 was to get a birthday card from King Charles, as she already had four from former monarch Queen Elizabeth II.
Marjorie said: “I watch a lot of television and I have no idea why people watch football, there is so much you can learn. I like watching a bit of snooker and the six nations but educational programmes and quizzes are my favourite.
“I like the Chase, I get a lot of the answers right I think I would do quite well on the programme. I still have a big thirst for knowledge which I inherited from my father as well as a long life.”
Some of Marjorie’s earliest memories are of air raids during WW1 and she met her first husband Stanley in 1939 who passed away in 1955. She then married Hugh in 1956 and the couple moved to Sidbury in Devon where she was the teacher of a school reception class for 23 years.
Marjorie said: “I’m not sure if I will make it to 110 and I don’t know how many people are older than me. The last time I checked there were 34 in the UK. But good luck to them.”
For her secret, to a long and happy life, Marjorie said: “Do all the good you can, by all the means you can, in all the ways you can, in all the places you can, to all the people you can, as long as ever you can. They are five good rules to live by but I don’t think I’ve stuck to them entirely.”