![Ex-Midwifery Matron celebrates 100th birthday at Blacon care home](/getattachment/f6aa5796-915e-47bd-bb95-5448f5db5bf8/Ex-Midwifery Matron celebrates 100th birthday at Blacon care home.aspx)
Belinda Stone, a Resident at HC-One’s Lauren Court care home, was delighted as she recently celebrated her 100th birthday over a week of celebrations.
Family members visited Belinda from around the UK, Ireland, Italy and even the United States, as Belinda enjoyed a week filled with celebration, consisting of an afternoon tea, birthday party and celebratory meal as well as a Catholic Mass given at St. Teresa’s Church in Blacon.
Born in Derry Cashel, West Ireland in 1920, Belinda, a former matron at the previously named Catherine Gladstone Hospital (now known as Deeside Hospital), fondly speaks of her life’s work looking after mothers and their newborns during the air raids of World War Two, as she looks back regularly at all that she achieve throughout her time as a midwife.
In honour of her 100th birthday, Belinda received an Apostolic Blessing from Pope Francis on behalf of her famiyl, having previously being awarded with the Benemerenti Medal by Pope John Paul II in 1996 for her service to the Catholic Church throughout her life.
Belinda is the eldest of ten children, and is regarded as being very family oriented with her many nieces and nephews due to not having children of her own after marrying husband Joseph later in her life.
When asked what her secret to long life is, Belinda remarked: “To enjoy the work that the good Lord has given you from the beginning.”
Sarah Molloy, home manager, commented: “We have been delighted to celebrate Belinda’s 100th birthday with her and her family. We hope she has had a wonderful day and has enjoyed celebrating with her family.”