Resident at Orchard House Care Home in Wisbech celebrates turning 104 with loved ones

A much-loved care home resident has celebrated her 104th birthday with loved ones.

Mary Gallagher turned 104 on Saturday with residents and family members by her side celebrating her special day.

Mary moved into Orchard House in Wisbech within days of turning 100 years old and has resided there since with family visiting her regularly.

During her special day, she talked about “her wonderful life being a police officer up in Coventry and was one of the few female officers to be on the streets”.

Mary has three “wonderful” children who have gone on to have families of their own.

She enjoys her visits from Little Owls Nursery and was pleasantly surprised when they came to visit her last Friday with a card they made especially for her birthday.

Mary was honoured to have the Wisbech mayor, Sidney Imafidon, attend her birthday celebration along with Julie Bushby, Tesco’s Community Champion, and was shocked at how heavy the mayor's chain felt.

She said: “It was nice to feel like Mayoress Mary for five minutes.”

Mary’s family were so grateful for all the effort everyone went to making her day special, especially having a traditional Victoria sponge as her birthday cake.

Miranda Robinson, lifestyle lead at the care home, said: “It has been an absolute honour to have had the opportunity to have celebrated every birthday with Mary since she moved into Orchard House.

“Mary is a very inspirational lady and has many wonderful stories to share.”

Cllr Imafidon said it was an honour to celebrate with Mary and her family, who “travelled from afar for her 104th birthday”.

Julie added: “It was an honour to be invited back again this year to celebrate Mary’s 104th birthday and what a wonderful woman she is to meet and spend time with.”