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Chronicle Live
Chronicle Live
National
Kristy Dawson

Five generations come together to celebrate great-great grandmother's 100th birthday in Gateshead

Five generations of a great-great grandmother's family came together to mark her 100th birthday.

Eileen Liddell celebrated her 10th decade with a card from King Charles and Queen Camilla and a birthday party at Fellingate Care Centre.

Staff at the care home in Felling, Gateshead, began setting up a surprise party for her when she went to sleep on Thursday night.

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On Friday, her children, grandchildren, great-grandchildren and great-great grandchildren arrived to celebrate her milestone birthday.

The home was decorated with black and gold balloons, including three large ones showing her age, and there was a buffet.

Eileen Liddell has celebrated her 100th birthday (Chronicle Live)

Her daughter Maureen Harris, 74, who lives in Wardley, Gateshead, said: "She can't believe she's 100. She kept saying 'I can't believe I've lived to this age, I never thought I would reach 100'.

"I'm lucky to have been able to celebrate her 100th birthday with her. It was a nice day. There were five generations of the family there.

"She's got a card from the King and Camilla has signed it as well. It came special delivery on the day. She loved that.

"The care home organised the party and they were really wonderful. They decorated the whole room and put a buffet on for her.

"She was overwhelmed, she thought it was lovely. It was a perfect day for her."

Eileen (far right) with her daughter Maureen, her granddaughter Lesley and her great-granddaughter Alex (Chronicle Live)

Eileen was born in Saltmeadows, formally known as New Gateshead, and lived in Pelaw for 40 years. She married her late husband Matthew and they had two children together- Maureen and David, 71.

Eileen worked as a cleaner for Jackson the tailor on Park Lane in Gateshead. Matthew sadly passed away 36 years ago, aged 68.

Maureen said: "She's always been quite healthy. She used to go to Newcastle city centre every single day until she was about 95.

"Every day she would meet her friend, do a bit of shopping, go for lunch and come home."

Eileen, who has early dementia, moved into the care home two years ago. She now has four grandchildren, 10 great-grandchildren and five great-great grandchildren.

Eileen Liddell's great-great grandson Jacob (left) celebrated his 10th birthday on the same day (Chronicle Live)

Her great-great grandchild, Jacob Richards, shares his birthday with her and celebrated turning 10 on the same day.

Maureen added: "It was a double celebration. It was lovely. Jacob kept saying 'We have got the same birthday'.

"The great-grandchildren all loved it. They were running about with balloons.

"I can't praise the care home enough. They were very, very good."

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