Dancing is the secret to longevity

An inspirational lady who celebrated her 103rd birthday at a Sanctuary Care home in Redditch this week says dancing has been her secret to her longevity.

Ivy Flaherty marked her milestone birthday yesterday (Monday 14 August) with a tea party at Brambles Residential Care Home in Birchfield Road.

When asked her secret to reaching such a fantastic age she said: “I absolutely loved ballroom dancing and was dancing up until the age of 90 – that is what kept me so young and active. I started dancing when I was 14 years old.”

Ivy was born in Edgbaston, Birmingham and is the last surviving of her two brothers and two sisters.

After meeting her late husband Larry on a blind date, the couple tied the knot on St George’s Day when Ivy was 24 years old.

During the war shop worker Ivy and electrician Larry served their country by working in a factory in Birmingham which made ammunition for the war effort.

The couple spent their married life in Birmingham and went on to have one daughter.

Ivy also has one grandson David, aged 49 and two great grandchildren, 18-year-old Zoe and 16-year-old Aaron.

Senior care assistant at Brambles, Mal Rose said: “Ivy is beautiful and you wouldn’t believe she is 103 she is amazing. She only looks about 70!”

click here for more details or to contact Brambles Residential Care Home