A CARE home resident has been enjoying special birthday celebrations after turning 100.

Florence Greeves reached her centenary on Sunday at Blackthorn Care Home, in Halstead.

Having spent most of her life living and working in south Essex, Florence moved to the area to be closer to daughter Patricia.

While Patricia lived in Bocking, her mother was never too far away at her home in Witham.

Born in 1920, Florence worked in service, cooking, cleaning and looking after war veterans.

It was there she met her future husband Alan.

Florence looked after him when he returned injured from the Second World War.

The couple were married just a few months later in 1946.

Florence brought up daughters Patricia and Diane, before returning to work at an opticians.

She finally retired when she was 74.

Patricia, 71, said: “She really is just the most incredible lady.

“She always had a hard life but the way she managed to cope is just incredible.

“She seemed to be able to put things into the back of her mind and cope with life, unlike most people.”

Florence celebrated her 100th birthday with her family.

Her party even had a sax player and a singer.

She now has four grandchildren and nine great-grandchildren.

And Florence still manages to look nothing like her age.

Asked about the secret to her mother’s long life, Patricia said: “She never used to smoke and she never drank.

“She always cooked good meals and ate well – she lived a healthy lifestyle.

“It’s quite funny. All the of the care home staff were shocked that she is actually 100.

“They can’t believe it because she doesn’t at all look her age.

Speaking about her mother’s centenary celebrations, Patricia said: “She absolutely loved it.

“She had to ask herself, ‘Am I really 100?’ – she was so shocked.

“She was the eldest of her siblings and she’s managed to outlive them all.

“You should have seen her face though, it just absolutely lit up with everyone there.”