Stenhousemuir great-great gran celebrates 100th birthday

Mary McKell still lives independently in Stenhousemuir, with just a little help from her daughter Eileen and son-in-law Tom.

She should have been celebrating her very special day with lunch at Dunblane’s famous Cromlix hotel, with her family – which includes seven grandchildren, 15 great-grandchildren and five great-great grandchildren.

Many of them were supposed to be coming from Canada and Australia for the occasion but that has had to be cancelled due to the coronavirus pandemic.

Born in Marykirk, Kincardineshire, Mary began her nursing career in 1937 in Ruchill Fever Hospital before moving to the Southern General.

She married George in 1945 and the couple moved to Ardrossan where they had four daughters; Merriel and Sheila, who have sadly passed away, then a few years later Eileen and Rae.

Mary loved being a nurse, although she was also famous for her amazing baking and could have chosen that as a career if she had wanted, says daughter Eileen.

Mary retired from her job as a district nurse in 1985 when she moved to Stenhousemuir to be near Eileen and Tom.

However, she went on to spend 20 years as a volunteer giving her company – and lots of her fantastic baking – to people with dementia attending The Maples, the day care centre run by Alzheimer Scotland.

Incredibly, she remained a volunteer there until she was 92 years old.

Mary says the secret to her long-life and good health is “keeping your body active and your mind active”.

She loved going for walks and doing crosswords and puzzles and was also fond of reading, although her eyesight is now very poor due to macular degeneration.

However, she now thoroughly enjoys talking books that are sent to her by the RNIB and still takes an interest in the news.

While it won’t be the celebration they planned, her granddaughter has arranged for an afternoon tea to be delivered which she will be able to enjoy with Eileen and Tom.

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