'˜Feisty' Steyning woman reaches 102

STEYNING resident Kathleen Smart credited her long life to her '˜feisty attitude' as she celebrated her 102nd birthday at her care home.
By The Newsroom
Published 16th Mar 2016, 10:22 BST
Updated 8th Jun 2018, 01:41 BST

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Kathleen Smart with team leader Claire King, left, and Melanie Tong, bank team leader and support workerKathleen Smart with team leader Claire King, left, and Melanie Tong, bank team leader and support worker
Kathleen Smart with team leader Claire King, left, and Melanie Tong, bank team leader and support worker

Horsham district councillor Tim Lloyd visited Kathleen at Shaw healthcare’s Croft Meadow, in Tanyard Lane, to wish her happy birthday as she marked the milestone with friends and family.

Staff presented her with a cake and presents to mark the occasion.

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Sharalee Thrumble, manager of Croft Meadow care home, said: “Kathleen is a well-loved member of Croft Meadow, who continues to make wise cracks and joke around with other residents and staff alike.

“Her strong mind and feisty attitude has definitely kept her feeling young, which makes her a pleasure to have in the home.”

Originally from Buckinghamshire, Kathleen had her only child, Valerie, before serving briefly in the Women’s Voluntary Service during World War Two in Hove.

After the death of her husband, Charles, in 1991, she moved to live with her daughter in Hurstpierpoint, where she discovered a passion for horse riding and art that she still holds to this day.

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Valerie and her mother moved to Upper Beeding in 2013, with Kathleen unfortunately suffering a stroke during the period of the move.

Last year, following several bouts in hospital and rehab, and when she could no longer be cared for at home, Kathleen moved to Croft Meadow, where she has proudly displayed one of her paintings above her bed.

Croft Meadow provides nursing and residential care for the frail elderly and for those living with dementia.

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