Former Aberdare Nurse Celebrates 100th Birthday

A Rhondda care home has celebrated the 100th birthday of one of its residents with a party for friends and family to mark her milestone.

Eleanor Thomas, who was born during the First World War, turned 100 on 9th March, celebrated her landmark birthday at Mill View Care Home in Ystrad, Pentre after receiving her telegram from the Queen.

Born in Aberdare in 1916, Mrs Jones has been a resident at the care home run by the SilverCrest Group for 16 years, having moved there in 1999.

The home came to a standstill to help her celebrate with a party for friends, family and other residents.

Mrs Jones who originally qualified as a nurse in Bolton, began her working life at Llwynypia Hospital in 1935, when she was 19 years old.

Eleanor met her husband Len Jones, a local greengrocer while living in Aberdare, and they married in 1939. The couple later had three sons, Alun, Martin and Huw.

After their children had grown up, Eleanor returned to the caring profession becoming a district nurse in Aberdare until the 1960’s when she became a chiropodist. Eleanor and her family eventually settled in Tynewydd in 1953.

Eleanor retired over 50 years ago in 1965, but was determined to keep busy and became a volunteer guide at St Fagans National History Museum.  Her husband Len passed away in 1999.

Today Eleanor is a grandmother to two children, great grandmother to four and great great grandmother to three children.

Marianne Jones, Eleanor’s daughter in law said “We loved celebrating Eleanor’s 100th birthday and are still smiling about it.

She has accomplished so much in her life and her family and friends think of her as the most caring and kindest people we know who would do anything for everyone. We love visiting her at Mill View, the staff are so friendly and they are like our extended family.”

Kathy Gover, Manager of Mill View Care Home said: “It has been so lovely to mark such a memorable milestone for Eleanor who we cherish as one of our longstanding residents. We enjoyed celebrating with Eleanor’s relatives, making this a very special occasion which we will all remember for a very long time.”

Caption: Eleanor Jones celebrating her 100th Birthday at Mill View Care Home.