Community comes together to help Haywards Heath woman celebrate 100th birthday

Mary at The Goldbridge with card from the Queen | Other 3rd Party

A Haywards Heath woman who has just turned 100 years old was greeted by stacks of cards on her special day after hundreds of people answered a call for birthday greetings.

The Mid Sussex Times issued a plea for readers to help Mary Johnson celebrate her centenary by sending a birthday card, after being contacted by the care home where she lives.

The community came out in force with well wishers sending about 200 cards so far, with more continuing to arrive.

Birthday girl Mary celebrated her centenary on February 23 at home in The Goldbridge Bupa Care Home.

Many guests came to visit Mary including family and friends who she had not seen for years.

Mary’s niece, Shirley Agate, said: “Mary was overwhelmed by all the cards she received from people – children even sent cards they had made themselves.

“It truly was very special and kind, so Mary would like to thank everyone who thought about her on her special birthday.”

Born in Manchester, Mary went on to have a varied work life, first working in the Lancashire cotton mills.

She worked as a welder on the Lancaster bomber during the war, after which she joined the RAF.

When it was time for her to leave the RAF, Mary went to work in the civil service where she stayed until she was 60.

Mary then worked in various jobs, mainly care homes, until she was 81.

She put her long, healthy life down to hard work and her love for walking her dogs.