Rene Wragge, a Resident at HC-One’s Melbury Court care home in Durham celebrated her 100th birthday on Sunday 14th April surrounded by family and friends.
Born in Sherburn Village in 1919, Rene attended Durham Girls Grammar School till the age of sixteen where she went on to college in London where she studied Physical Education.
Rene returned to Durham and taught at Darlington High School, she met her husband at a local tennis club, the couple married at St Cuthbert’s Church in 1943 and went onto to have two children. After forty wonderful years of marriage, Rene’s husband sadly passed away, she continued to live in their home until she moved into Melbury Court in August 2017.
The centenarian attributes her long life to keeping fit and walking, she was a member of rambling group for over thirty years.
To celebrate her special day, Rene’s friends and family came to spend the day with her, including her grandson, who came from America for the celebrations. The Mayor of Durham, Cllr John Lethbridge also visited Melbury Court to present Rene with a birthday card and bouquet of flowers.
Rene has a wonderful day celebrating with her nearest and dearest, she appreciated everyone’s generous gifts and well wishes and said it was lovely to have her family around her.
Melbury Court Home Manager, Nicola Coulson said: “We were delighted to be able to share Rene’s special day with her and her loved ones, she is such an amazing lady and it was great to see her celebrating such a memorable birthday.
“On behalf of everyone at Melbury Court I would like to wish Irene a very happy birthday.”