Cathie celebrates her 100th birthday with tea party at Wick care home
A Wick care home resident celebrated her 100th birthday at the weekend with a gathering of family members and a rendition of one of her favourite songs, Flower of Scotland.
Cathie Christian was joined by staff, relatives, friends and other residents for the special afternoon tea party on Saturday in Seaview House.
There were birthday greetings from local primary school pupils and traditional Scottish tunes courtesy of Addie Harper and friends.
Staff at Seaview House believe that Cathie will be the first centenarian in Caithness to receive a card from King Charles III. The card has not arrived yet, as there is understood to have been a delay in the process following the death of Queen Elizabeth II.
Cathie has been a resident at Seaview House for 14 years and eight months. Until then she had lived for many years in the town's Girnigoe Street.
In her younger days Cathie was known for her prowess as a swimmer, and many people recall how she taught them and their children to swim in Wick's outdoor pools. She was still an active swimmer at the age of 85.
Seaview House activities coordinator Mandy Wilson said: “Cathie was always very active and participating in all activities when she came to live at Seaview. She is a very sociable lady and she would often share her baking recipes with fellow residents and staff.
“Due to her progressing journey into dementia, Cathie is now not so active but she does still enjoy a full sensory programme.
"We had a lovely afternoon of music with Addie Harper and friends playing Scottish music and even singing Flower of Scotland, one of her favourite songs, as a special request."
Karen Center, community champion at the Wick Tesco store, popped in with a large donation of freshly baked pancakes and sweet treats for Cathie's party and a card from all the staff at the supermarket. Cathie chuckled and said “that’s lovely” when she was told of the gesture.
Mandy had also contacted Noss and Newton Park primary schools asking if pupils would like to be part of Cathie's big day. A big bundle of cards arrived from Noss to be presented on her birthday, while Newton Park’s cards were handed personally to Cathie by some of the pupils.
After looking through all the cards and reading some to Cathie, her daughter Linda Donn said: “The detail in them is just beautiful. They have made such an effort.”
Linda blew out the candles on a birthday cake that was carried in by the care home's general manager Gayle Magennis.
Seaview House is run by Barchester Healthcare. The home provides residential care, nursing care and dementia care for 42 residents, from respite care to long-term stays.
