Marjorie joins the Hillbury 100 club
A former ballet dancer has joined an exclusive club - as the fourth resident of one of our care homes over 100 years of age.
The bells of Ellesmere Parish Church rang out in celebration as Marjorie Jebb reached the special milestone.
Like the other centenarians, she is a resident of the Hillbury Care Home and Manager Mildred Heyward said: "It's quite remarkable to have four of our 60-plus residents reach 100 and we're very pleased to have them with us.
"We are privileged to be able to look after them at Hillbury where they have formed a very exclusive club."
Last month Sister Margaret Foster celebrated her 100th birthday with a special Mass in the church at the home.
Her milestone came three months after that of Hilda Thomas. Originally from Rhos, Mrs Thomas has been a resident at Hillbury for two years.
The most senior of the quartet, however, is Esther Wright, a native of Moss, who celebrated her 102nd birthday last October.
Pendine Park proprietor Mario Kreft added his congratulations to the "fantastic foursome".
He said: "We're absolutely thrilled that these lovely ladies have all reached this special milestone."
Mrs Jebb was born in India, where her father was a mining engineer, but she spent much of her childhood in Sunderland. As a teenager she trained as a ballet dancer in Paris but returned to India at the age of 18 before turning professional.
"Britain was at the height of its powers in India at that time and she had a very good time out there," said her son Lionel, who lives in Ellesmere.
Lionel, who had himself been working in India, returned to the family home in Ellesmere and the whole family then remain in the area, where Marjorie took a very active part in community life.
She has three grandchildren and five great-grandchildren, most of whom live relatively close and expect to pop in to wish her a Happy Birthday on the 25th.
"And although she won't be able to hear it the bellringers at Ellesmere have told me they will ring a peal for her," said Lionel.
