Most people don’t get to make it anywhere near 100 years old, but Joyce Jackman from Essex in the UK recently celebrated her 102nd birthday. A resident at Care UK’s Silversprings Care Home, she was given her own special cake, some balloons, and plenty of celebrations with her family and friends to mark the occasion. Asked how she’s managed to live such a long and healthy life, Joyce didn’t even hesitate: It’s all down to “good sex and good sherry.”
Joyce loved her birthday so much that she “didn’t want the day to end.” Speaking after the party was over, Joyce reflected on how it went. “I had such a lovely day. I can’t believe I’m 102 — it must be all the chocolate I eat that’s helped!” she said.
Joanne Rix, the Home Manager at the care home where Joyce Jackman lives, praised the resident’s cheery disposition.
“Joyce is a much-loved resident at the home – she’s always making us laugh with her fantastic sense of humor and outlook on life. It was wonderful to be part of her special day,” she said, per the Daily Mail.
“Here at Silversprings, we work hard to support residents to lead fulfilling lives, and celebrating special occasions and birthdays plays a huge part in this. We were honored to raise a glass of sherry to Joyce’s incredible life so far and are privileged to have her as part of our Silversprings family.”
Joyce worked in a candy store before joining the RAF as a chef during World War II. She married her childhood sweetheart in 1945 when the war ended, and while they never had children, Joyce became a bit of a mother figure to kids in the neighborhood. Sadly, her husband Terence Jackman passed away years ago.
These days, Joyce loves doing her crossword puzzles daily, reading the paper, and eating lots of chocolate. Sounds like she’s living her best life!
