Special celebrations at Peterborough care home for Irene's 100th birthday

Irene Sherman, who has lived at Park House Nursing Home since 2013, celebrated her milestone birthday on Friday 19th March. Born on the Rothschild Estate near Oundle where her father worked as head gamekeeper, Irene grew up on the edge of Ashton Wold with her parents and her sister Ivy. This rural setting inspired her with a lifelong love of plants, wildlife and nature. Upon leaving home to work, she moved to Peterborough where she has lived all of her adult life.

Irene discovered an early passion for music, taking piano and singing lessons when she was a child. She would play the organ at Oundle Parish Church and would entertain the troops at the American Air Base opposite the estate, playing classics on the piano and accompanying church services. She even met the actor Clark Gable here and still has his autograph!

It was her love of music that led to her meeting her husband, David, an engineering draughtsman at Hotpoint most of his life, after they met at a concert at Peterborough Cathedral.

Irene worked as head telegraphist at Peterborough Post Office for many years before and after she married David and had their daughter, Rosemary. Later she continued as a civil servant working for Wireless Records and then The Tax Office in Peterborough.

David sadly died in 2013 after 61 years of marriage and soon after Irene move to Park House where she has lived happily since. Her room looks over Peterborough Park where she and David used to enjoy playing tennis together.

Irene has two grandchildren, two great grandchildren as well as a niece who lives in Australia.

She has been an active member of the Methodist Church throughout her life, latterly Peterborough New Church, and despite now living with dementia, she continues to enjoy listening to classical music. Her favourite poem is by W H Davies “What is this life if full of care, we have no time to stand and stare.”

On her 100th birthday, she was visited by her daughter Rosemary, who brought her flowers, presents and a card from Her Majesty, the Queen. Later in the day, the Park House team presented her with a special birthday cake to enjoy with her fellow residents.

Park House manager Mungwaluku Mupatu said: “On behalf of everyone at Park House, I’d like to wish Irene a very happy birthday. She has been with us for some time now and is a real part of the Park House family. I’m delighted that she was able to see her daughter on her special day, and that we were able to make the day very special for her. Many happy returns Irene.”