A GREAT grandmother from Swansea celebrated her 100th birthday with help from friends and family.
Irona, known as Rona, is now a resident of Austen House in Lower Earley, and enjoyed a Champagne reception for her special day, which included receiving a congratulatory telegram from the king.
A birthday cake made by the home’s chef and enjoyed by relatives, residents, staff and visitors.
The Lady of Wales lived in Swansea with her parents and older sister until the outbreak of the Second World War.
She joined the Wrens and was stationed in Liverpool, where she met her husband, who was in the Royal Navy. They married in April 1946, moved to her husband’s hometown of Huddersfield, and enjoyed life together.
They have two sons, two granddaughters and four great-grandchildren, and says she is always happy to see them around.
She lived for a time with one of her sons and daughter-in-law in Reading, before coming to Austen House.
Among those relatives attending was Irona’s son, Ian, who played host for the afternoon to lots of guests.
Speaking about her centenarian mother, he said: “Irona is and has been a fantastic mother and friend to so many over the past 100 years, and it’s wonderful to be with her on this very special day to say just how proud she makes us feel.”
Austen House enjoyed the day as well.
Its general manager, Seva Hashimova, said: “We’re delighted to be celebrating a truly remarkable woman as she reaches this amazing milestone.
“Irona is such a popular resident who always has an interesting tale to tell, and we look forward to hearing many more as she breaks into her next century.”
