A care home has pulled out all the stops to ensure that one of its most treasured residents and a former Aycliffe Angel turned 100 in style at the end of last month by celebrating the incredible life of a centurion that has seen her learn tai chi at 80 and survive Covid-19 in 2020.
On Monday, June 27, Sandringham Care Home in Bishop Auckland marked the huge milestone birthday of Linnie Kavanagh by gathering staff and fellow residents to wish her happy birthday.
During the day, Linnie was treated like a queen and surrounded by pink ‘100’ balloons, flowers, and plenty of gifts, while the 100-year-old was also handed her card from the Queen and had a cardboard cut-out of the monarch just for good measure.
Read more: Aycliffe Angel celebrates her 100th birthday in Spennymoor
While it was just as much about celebrating Linnie’s present age, it was also used as a chance to look back at the incredible life that the Sandringham Care Home resident has led.
During the war, she was an Aycliffe Angel – which she described with fondness and a glint in her eye.
On more than one occasion, Linnie used to sleep in during her time as an Aycliffe Angel, so when getting the train to Newton Aycliffe her friends would always leave the door open on the back carriage and Linnie would always run on a morning to catch the train and jump on.
To some, this may seem eccentric, but for her family and friends – this is typical of her life.
Having been born in Hunwick, Linnie worked at popular North East store at the time, Doggarts, before she joined the Aycliffe Angels and embedded herself into every community she was part of.
As part of her role as treasurer and the running of the village hall in High Grange and an active member of the Women’s Institute – Linnie’s family and friends have noted her active work in the community and helping people.
This sense of adventure, independence and defiance continues to this day.
Having learned tai chi at 80, proving that it's never too late to learn a skill or hobby, the now 100-year-old managed to live on her own until she was 97 – still going out to do her shopping and meeting her friends and family for food.
However, it was during the Covid-19 pandemic that really showed her strength to everyone at Sandringham Care Home – after catching the virus and managing to survive it during the first wave.
Now, several years on from surviving Covid-19, it was all about celebrating Linnie’s birthday – with banners, balloons and plenty of celebration taking over Sandringham Care Home.
Despite Linnie not getting the opportunity to sing, dance or be on stage, which she loved in her younger years, especially ballroom dancing with her husband, the care home staff made a massive fuss of her.
Happy Birthday, Linnie!
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