A SOCIABLE Redditch lady who turned 102 this week suspects that her love of dancing might be the secret to a long life.
Doris Hill, a Brambles Care home resident, celebrated her milestone birthday on Tuesday surrounded by fellow residents and her family.
Born in Birmingham, Doris grew up in Halesowen with her adopted family. She did however remain close to her birth family, in particular her late sister Rose.
She left school at 14, and went on to gain shorthand, typing and office skills leading to a career working at Hymatic until she retired aged 60.
The energetic Birchifield Road resident said: “I have kept a very active life, especially dancing. I was involved with a lot of social clubs and committees so kept busy socialising with friends. I used to do a lot of day trips and keep fit with Age Concern.”
When she met her husband-to-be Harold on a camping weekend with the church, it was love at first sight for Doris. The couple married in October, 1943, honeymooning for two days in Ombersley.
The couple moved to Redditch in 1945, where Harold worked at High Duty Alloys. Doris gave birth to their only child, son Peter in 1950, and now at 102 years old her family has blossomed to include three grandchildren and four great-grandchildren.
Harold sadly passed away in 1994, but not before the couple celebrated their Golden Wedding Anniversary.
Doris continued to live independently at their Winyates Green home until 2017 when she moved to Brambles.
Sanctuary Care home’s activities leader, Fiona Morsy added: “She is an incredible lady and is always the first of our residents to take part in trips out and all of our exercise sessions. Doris loves exercising and is amazingly agile – you would never guess she is 102.”
