Kathleen Wood
Submitted by Lindsay Colbeck
A surprise party was held for a care home resident who recently turned 100 years old.
Kathleen Wood who lives at Elworth Grange in Sandbach was treated to a fun-filled day of celebrations with her family and friends.
She even got to ride in a chauffeur driven limousine to enjoy lunch with her family.
The team had organized afternoon tea with birthday cake, party games and music from the 1920s for when she returned.
Kathleen said: “Everyone has been so kind, and my birthday was a very special day.
“I have done lots of wonderful things and have helped others when I can.”
Kathleen was born in Cardiff in 1922 and she became a secretary for the civil service during the war and also took on air raid duties.
She married Stanley, a chief engineer in the Royal Air Force, and they had two sons, Brian and Michael.
As an RAF family they moved extensively, living in South Africa, Malta, Germany and the United States as well as at various RAF bases in the UK.
In the 1970s, Stanley was awarded an MBE for services rendered in defense of the realm and the whole family went with him to Buckingham Palace where he received his award from the Queen Mother.
Kathleen’s brother David, now 96, and her son Brian have also been awarded MBEs over the years.
After Stanley passed away at age 82 in 2002, Kathleen sadly lost her youngest son Michael in a road traffic accident and decided to move to Macclesfield, Cheshire to be close to her eldest son, Brian and his family.
She now has a six-year-old great grandson, who was named after her husband and son – Stanley Michael.
Sarah Rodger, care home manager at Elworth Grange, said: “Kathleen is such a kind lady with a wonderful sense of humour, she’s always smiling and is still very independent, helping out around the home.
“She enjoys reading the daily papers and keeping up with the news and what’s going on in the world.
“She has received so many birthday cards from our local community, including the local preschool, who all wanted to wish her well. She also received a very special card from the Queen.
“Our residents made banners which we hung around the lounge, and we spent a lovely afternoon playing games, singing and dancing.
“We were honored to be able to spend this special day with Kathleen and her family.”
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