CELEBRATIONS were in full swing at a Rugby care home when one of its residents turned 101 in style.
Lily Addis celebrated the landmark with fellow residents and staff at Overslade House, who raised a glass around a special birthday cake made by one of the home’s chefs, Dario Mozzettini.
Lily received more than 101 birthday cards and messages from the Rugby community and beyond – including cards from children at Daisykins Nursery.
Lily was also surprised and honoured to have a poem penned personally for her by the Resident Ambassador Gerald Waterfield at the care home’s sister home in Cubbington (see below).
Lily moved to Rugby in the 1950s and worked for many years at Boots the Chemist on High Street.
She has one daughter, Barbara Rose, who lives in Rugby with her husband Peter.
Lily said she had a wonderful day, and couldn’t believe how lucky she has been. She thanked everyone who was involved in her special day.
She said her secret to long life was “to enjoy life and have kind people around her.”
Violeta Baesu, general manager of the home, said: “We’re delighted to be celebrating a truly remarkable woman as she reaches this amazing milestone.
“Having a birthday during the restrictions can be hard. Lily is an amazingly strong lady and as ‘queen’ for the day, we’ll do all we can to make one to remember.”
Poem to Lily
By Gerald Waterfield
Hello Lily you do not know me
But soon a special date you will see
Nineteen nineteen must have been a good year
So perhaps we should all give a cheer
Because in that year you were about
So if it’s Ok with you we will give shout
September twenty two is the special day
And clearly we shout out loud hurray
Of course it is impolite to ask a lady her age
But this is special so can we make an exception
I am sure if I suggest one hundred and one
It will get a very good reception
And I guess some will be sing I hope in tune
Happy Birthday dear Lily and I guess a cake will appear
Never mind if the candles not blown out
I will try to help with a puff from here
And I do hope you get a lot of smiles – you too
Because if you smile the whole world smiles with you
And that I know that to be perfectly true.
So will you let me pass a smile onto you?
And a flower from Cubbington comes too
Happy birthday Lily dear
To wish you love and happiness for many a year.