Great-gran celebrates 100th birthday with family, care home residents and staff at two tea parties
A great-grandmother celebrated her 100th birthday at two tea parties in the care home where she lives.
Dorothy Bonsall marked the big day with her family and then with staff and residents of Claydon Lodge Care Home in North Wingfield.
Michaela Whitehall, manager of the home said: “Dorothy says she is very happy here and well looked after and is sure it has contributed towards her celebrating her 100th birthday. She still takes a keen interest in the world around her and takes the time each day to keep up with current affairs, and comments on how much they have changed over the 100 years!”
Dorothy joined the residents of Claydon Lodge in March 2023. Michaela said: “She is such a proud lady who still wears her dinner jacket (as she likes to refer to it) for all her meals in the home. She continues to enjoy her weekly visits from the hairdresser and nail care.
"Dorothy likes to spend her days relaxing in her room surrounded by her personal possessions and photos.”
Born Dorothy Iris Wardle, she was raised in Tupton and grew up enjoying family life, being particularly close with her sisters and niece.
On leaving school Dorothy was employed at Ryland Works. She enjoyed dancing and met her future husband, Charles, at a dance at the Co-op tea rooms.
Dorothy and Charles were married on February 15, 1952 – a day when there was a national shortage of flowers because it was the day that King George VI was laid to rest.
The newly-weds set up home in Tibshelf before moving to Pilsley in 1960.
Charles and Dorothy had two sons, John and Paul, two granddaughters, Stephanie and Charlotte, and two great-grandchildren, whom Dorothy delighted in spending time with. Their family enjoyed holidays in Skegness and on locally run coach tours.
Dorothy was an accomplished and knowledgeable gardener who enjoyed knitting and baking.