A FAMILY party was held on Tuesday (February 10) for a Wellington woman who has become one of the town’s oldest residents.

Already a centenarian, Kathleen Saunders celebrated her 106th birthday with friends and several generations of family.

Kathleen has been resident in the memory care community of Oaktree Court care home, just outside the town, for the past five years.

She was still spritely enough this past Christmas to dress in a Santa outfit for the home’s ‘elf day’ and activities, which included a series of mini concerts featuring festive favourites and beautiful melodies.

Born in 1920 in Erdington, Birmingham, Kathleen was one of three sisters growing up at a time when King George V was on the throne and the country was still transitioning from war to peace amid severe economic, social, and industrial disruption.

On leaving school, Kathleen worked as a photographer for the Dunlop Rubber Company and met her future husband Dennis, who was working in the company’s advertising department.

The couple married in 1955 and moved to Farnham, Surrey, where they had two daughters, Alex and Fiona.

They travelled the world for holidays, but always considered Cornwall as a place close to their hearts and often visited St Ives where Kathleen’s sister Edna lived.

In her spare time, Kathleen enjoyed making pottery and continued to craft ceramics well into her 90s.

Kathleen also loved animals and kept an assortment of pets she cared for throughout her life.

A spokesperson for Oaktree Court said: “Kathleen continues to enjoy different activities in and around the home and enjoys a trip out on our minibus.”

Kathleen said her secret for longevity and reaching such a grand age was ‘milk and chocolate’.

She said she had never drunk alcohol, but will drink ‘milk and milkshake’ all day long, while also enjoying ‘a cheeky chocolate bar’ as a snack.