Filling 102 Years With Family And Friendship

Bupa Care Services Press releases

Susie Rodgers (1)

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

A care home resident from Glasgow has revealed her secret to reaching her 102nd birthday – keeping strong bonds with friends and family.

Susie Rodger, a resident at Bupa’s Quayside care home in Glasgow for 10 years, credits her long life to close relationships with her family and spending time with friends.

The caring centenarian celebrated her milestone birthday at the care home on Halley Street with an afternoon party attended by family, residents and staff and was sufficiently pampered for her special day, with a visit to the in-house hairdresser in the morning.

Born in Linthouse in 1914, Susie began her working life as a nurse, where she discovered a strong passion for caring for others.

She married her husband John in 1941 and gave birth to their only child, a daughter named Jean, the following year. Sadly, John passed away when Jean was just five years old and, after his death, Susie gave up her nursing career to care for her daughter.

Accordingly, Susie and Jean became a very close mother and daughter team, and have a lifelong friendship.

Always keen to be involved in the local community, Susie later picked up a job in her local newsagents, before moving into employment with Glasgow optical engineering firm, Barr and Stroud, where she worked until retirement, at the age of 66.

Susie’s daughter, Jean, spoke of her mother’s loyalty and continual dedication to their family and neighbours.

Jean said: “She has always put her family before anything else, and would regularly travel to visit her sister and family who lived in the Netherlands. When her sister died, she continued to travel over whenever she could to care for her sisters’ young children.

“My mum has also always been very community-minded and threw herself into everything she could. Even when she retired, she never let that slow her down and she became a part of the Pensioner’s Club and Treasurer at Arthritis Care.

“She loved this, as it allowed her to continue caring for others and she made many strong friendships.”

Following the passing of her husband, as well as developing a tight bond with her daughter, Susie found companionship in a group of local women, who would all support and entertain each other.

“We could never find my mum or her friends,” Jean recalled. “They would always be active, out and about somewhere or round at each other’s houses, but always together.”

Lyn McConville, Home Manager at Bupa’s Quayside care home, said: “Everyone was delighted to help Susie celebrate her big day.

“She is such a pleasure to be around. She’s very lively and is popular with everyone who lives and works here.

“Her family, residents and staff had a fantastic time helping her celebrate with refreshments, party food and, of course, some pampering for the birthday girl.

“Turning 102 is such an incredible landmark and we’re all so happy for Susie.”

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