Centenarian Betty is keeping longevity advice to herself.
A Milton Keynes retirement home resident has just celebrated her 100th birthday – but won’t tell anyone how she has managed to reach the landmark figure.
Betty Challis, who lives at MHA Westbury Grange in Newport Pagnell, celebrated her birthday with a party surrounded by family, residents and staff
The home decked walls and ceilings with balloons and birthday banners, while Betty received gifts and cards, including a telegram from King Charles. Newport Pagnell Mayor Paul Day and Chris Curtis, MP for Milton Keynes North, also visited Betty on her big day.
Born in Rochester, Kent, Betty worked at The Women's Royal Naval Service (WRNS) – known as the Wrens – during the Second World War and became a technical drawings checker for a company which designed aircraft.
She was married to her childhood sweetheart Ron, a royal marine, for 70 years and has two children, Jane and Andrew. She moved into MHA Westbury Grange, which provides residential dementia and general nursing care for 45 residents, in February this year.
“I enjoyed my party very much and it was nice having all the family around,” said Betty. “It was a lovely day, and I am very grateful for what had been arranged for me.
“But I can't disclose my secret to a long life as that would be telling!”
