Care home bingo queen is 103

KATIE BOWLER

ONE of South Derbyshire's oldest women is celebrating her 103rd birthday tomorrow.

Ruth Hooper, who was born and bred in Wolverhampton, moved to the area six years ago to be near her family.

Now a resident at Seale Pastures House, in Burton Road, Acresford, she says she loves being around other residents and staff.

Mrs Hooper met her late husband, William, in her home town and they married in 1929. Mr Hooper worked as a locksmith.

She was a housewife and spent her time looking after her three sons, Robert and the late William and Terence. She also has six grandchildren and eight great-grandchildren.

Mrs Hooper said she had always been 'very active' with her many interests including gardening, dancing and travelling.

She also used to enjoy jigsaws and puzzles, until her eyesight began to deteriorate, although she has now taken on the role of the care home's bingo co-ordinator.

Mrs Hooper said: "I can't name one highlight in my life as I've had so many. Everything has been a highlight. But my children were always my main focus.

"I love being in the home with everyone. The people are so friendly and the staff can't do enough to help. I'm the oldest one in here and I was the first one to reach 100."

Mrs Hooper also loves flowers and plants, and used to enjoy the day trips the home organised.

Seale Pastures House manager Diane Leary said: "Mrs Hooper is a very sociable and alert lady. She is an absolute pleasure to be around and she likes to join in with everything. She is our new bingo co-ordinator and goes around wiping the other residents' boards for them.

"She is very bright and active minded. We all wish her a very happy birthday."

Friends and family will be visiting Mrs Hooper tomorrow to celebrate her milestone with a cake and flowers.