A Hampshire woman, who’s recipe for living a long life includes exercise and fresh air and was tobogganing at the age of 80, has just celebrated her 101st birthday.
Born in Benoni in the Johannesburg region of South Africa, Mary Duncan came to the UK as a youngster to go to school and was brought up in Southampton by her aunty Nora and Nora’s father-in-law Richard Andrews (a Mayor of Southampton). She served as an officer in the Woman’s Air Force during the Second World War, and married David Duncan in 1943.
David serviced as an officer in the Royal Marines. After the war, Mary was a proud housewife, raising a family and supporting her husband in his job while they travelled the world. Mother to two children – who are now both in their 70s, Mary now has seven grandchildren and 13 great grandchildren.
Today Mary is a resident at Millway Care Home in Andover where she is visited by her daughter and son in law. Mary said: “I’ve had a lovely life and love being part of a big family. I’ve always liked the outdoor life – something that was second nature coming from South Africa – and enjoyed surfing and skiing well into my 80s. I even tobogganed until I was 83!”
Home manager Kay Jerrams said: “Mary is a lovely lady and extremely popular with everyone. She enjoys excellent health, and her favourite pastime is playing on our recently installed interactive table and going for walks in our gardens.”
Situated at the heart of the local community in Andover, Millway House is a high-quality nursing home which ensures residents maintain their connection with the community and get the most out of life.
