Despite lockdown dashing plans for a 100th birthday family celebration, it was important that Sally Fisher was able to mark her big day in style.
A party organised by her family had to be put on hold due to the coronavirus regulations, so residents and staff at our independent living scheme, Vivian Court, Truro, stepped in to make her day special.
Unfortunately her two children, Janice and Glenn, and six grandchildren, could not join her in person to toast her big day.
Instead she enjoyed a champagne lunch with five other residents at Vivian Court, while reading her card from the Queen.
The centenarian received 45 cards from friends and family and numerous phone calls on her special day.
Sally said: “I was going to have a big family celebration in Penzance, but we had to cancel it because of this virus.
“It was such a shame as I was looking forward to seeing all of my family, but there’s nothing you can do about it. We will have a proper celebration when things are back to normal.
“I can’t complain because I had a lovely day with five of my neighbours. We call ourselves the crowd.
“The card from the Queen made me smile, it was so nice to receive it.
“My neighbour’s daughter cooked me a delicious cake and I got the most amazing bunch of flowers from LiveWest who own Vivian Court. It was full of roses and lilies – my favourite flowers.
“LiveWest has been so good since I moved here in 2009, they have taken good care of me.”
Originally from Kent, and later moving to Cornwall in 1973, Sally served in the Women’s Royal Navy Service during World War II.
Her role was to keep close tabs on pilots fighting in the war by checking what time they took off, how long they had been flying for and when they arrived back.
And this week’s Remembrance Day gave Sally chance to pay her respects to those who lost their lives in conflict.
Sally added: “It is nice to remember the people who fought for our country. Many of them were young and extremely brave.
“So many didn’t ever come back and I will always think about them. It shows that you should make the best out of every day you have.”
As for the secret to a long and healthy life, Sally admitted: “Exercise is the key. I walk every single day for about 45 minutes, it keeps you fit and active.
“I haven’t found lockdown boring because you keep doing your exercise. Sometimes when the weather is bad, I walk up and down the stairs and along the hallways.
“I am a vegetarian and have always had a balanced diet.”
Sally moved to Vivian Court in 2009 - a year before her late husband Phillip, who was a musician, passed away.
LiveWest Scheme Manager, Kara Viner, paid her own special tribute to Sally.
Kara said: “Sally is a remarkable lady and we were delighted to be able to provide her with some gifts on her special day.
“She has such a positive outlook on life and is an example to us all. We were thrilled that she was able to meet up with her friends at Vivian Court to celebrate a truly wonderful achievement.”