Sisters have the secret to long life (From The Oxford Times)

Sisters have the secret to long life

6:00pm Friday 1st March 2013 in News

A WOMAN marked her 101st birthday with her sister and friends at a care home in Witney yesterday.

Winnie Butler celebrated the landmark with birthday cake, presents and balloons at Newland House care home. It will be the first of two celebrations because in three months’ time her sister Rose, right, will be turning 100.

Newland activities coordinator Anne Chambers said: “Winnie said she could not believe she was 101.

“I was talking to Winnie before about her birthday and what she would like for her tea. She requested jelly and ice cream and birthday cake and Rose requested jam sandwiches.”

She added: “We had a party to celebrate Winnie’s life, and it is also good for all the other residents to get together and have a social event.”

The two sisters were brought up in Richmond, London, and both went on to become nurses and midwives in the city.

Later in life, Winnie taught nursing and Rose became a district nurse in London.

After retiring about 40 years ago, they moved into a home in Witney together before moving to Newland House about six years ago.

Both have a passion for music – Winnie used to play violin and Rose piano – and have kept cats and dogs throughout their lives.

Picture: OX57581 Denis Kennedy