Louise Whelan
Imagine being 10 decades on this earth. That’s quite a big milestone.
Turning 100 is the benchmark for an elite club of senior citizens and we are so lucky in this area as we have not one, but two incredibly blessed ladies that have reached this magical number.
Una Henry turned 100 on 1st January 2022. Una who lived in Londonbridge all her life was also in the Active Retirement in the CYMS. She loved going on all the outings and the parties from there, she still enjoys a good sing song and is still as active as ever, residing in her new abode up in Mount Tabor Nursing home in Sandymount. She is fond of a good book and an old movie. Also a keen knitter she loves all the daily activities that keep her smiling. Una celebrated her birthday with a special party attended by all her friends and staff in Mount Tabor and had a truly wonderful day.
Another amazing lady is Lizzy Doyle. Lizzy is from Bremen Avenue in the New Houses and she celebrated her big day last February 2021 with all of her family and friends. Lizzy is the ‘Queen Bee’ as her family calls her, a real legend. Lizzy states that she feels 21 and laughter is what keeps her going. She loves to get out and go for dinner. This lady has a super strong mindset and is very open in her thinking. She is a character with great stories to tell, including that she is probably the original ‘WAG’ (wives and girlfriends of footballers) as she was married to local footballer James Doyle who played for Shelbourne in the 1930s/40s; to this day she still gets slagging from her granddaughter Ericka over it. Lizzy’s whole family has enjoyed longevity. Her father was shot in the head in WW1 and survived with a metal plate in his head, while her brother who was a paratrooper in WW2 lived into his 90s. Lizzy’s 101st birthday will be on February 29th, and she was born on a leap year.
Talk about amazing genes for both women.
Centenarians who are born in Ireland receive a ‘centenarians bounty’ which is a national award and a signed letter of congratulations from the President. Then on each subsequent birthday Irish citizens also receive a commemorative coin in a presentation box. A new coin is designed each year. The centenarian bounty was first introduced in 1940 by President Douglas Hyde.
From all of us here in NewsFour – Happy 100th Birthday to Una and 101 to Lizzy and may you both continue to enjoy the journey of life, Slainte.
