Marion’s 103rd Birthday – Celebrating Independence with our Service Users

Last week, we took ourselves down to one of our service user’s homes to celebrate her 103rd birthday. Marion is one of our incredible service users who are over the age of 100, that we have had the pleasure of caring for to maintain her independence within her own home. We made sure to spoil her with a big birthday card and a lovely cake, and listen to her incredible story. We spent a few hours with Marion and talked to her about the amazing life that she has lived. She told us all about her time during the war, her career and what she is doing now with the help of MerseyCare Julie Ann to maintain her independence.

So what is Marion’s amazing life story?

We sat down with Marion and asked her all about her incredible life, and here is what she had to say: “I was born in Liverpool and lived with my mother and siblings during the war; people in their street were offered bomb shelters to be built in their cellars but many declined the offer. My mother said yes and had a shelter built – when the war got bad and the bombs were dropped, the neighbours ran to my mothers house for safety. We had up to 40 people in our house only living off the rations given using my ration book to feed all of the family and neighbours. I remember my mum being out of her mind as at times we only had half a pound of margarine, a small bag of sugar, and a couple of packets of tea to share out. I remember when bombs were left on the steps of their homes to set them all of fire and they survived this. As years past, I then went on to work in the factory Napiers, as this was mandatory. I made the bombs for the war and parts of the planes. I married my late husband Fredrick on 10.10.1921 and had our daughter, then ten years later our son was born, but sadly my husband passed away young. The war ended and to work we could do as we pleased. I went on to work in numerous jobs in factories; one being Jacobs. I also did domestic cleaning, shop work and then cleaning in town in the Echo offices. I still have all my senses – I have seen what hard times really are and worked all my life. The harder it is for you the harder you try, and you get through it. I have outlived them all! I would like to thank the carers and the office staff for my flowers, cake and card. I was taken out to my daughters house yesterday with my family and I have had a wonderful birthday!”

How have our services helped Marion with her independence?

As one of our incredible services users over the age of 100, it is an honour to be able to provide support where we can, in order to maintain Marion’s independence for as long as possible. We also love hearing all about Marion’s incredible life story, and all about her experience in the war. Through providing services such as personal care, companionship, and reablement services, we can help support service users like Marion stay independent for as long as possible within their own homes. For more information on the fantastic services that we provide to our service users like Marion, please click here. We hope you had a fantastic birthday Marion!

Further information

Would you like to start a rewarding career like this, and help support service users like Marion maintain independence within their own homes? Apply today and one of our recruitment officers will be in touch.