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Date:  11 June 2007

Kay Court’s centenarians celebrate Lily Levy’s 103rd birthday

Whitechapel-born Lily Levy celebrated her 103rd birthday with her family at a strawberry tea party, organised by volunteers at Jewish Care’s Kay Court, where she has lived for the past three years.

She didn’t have any children but many of her relatives came to the party at the care home in Finchley Road, NW3. These included her newest great, great nephew, who at less than a year old proved a source of fascination for the birthday girl. “Isn’t he lovely? He’s gorgeous,” she declared.

According to Lily, the most important thing is “to look after myself” and she likes to look her best every day, carefully choosing her clothes and doing her hair. “You can’t let yourself go just because you are old,” she says, adding: “I can’t believe I am 103.”

Guests included John Coleby, Jewish Care’s director of care services, who came to wish Lily many happy returns on behalf of the charity.

She basked in the sun with fellow residents Annie Fox, 100 and Sally Kershberg, 102. The ladies looked a picture as they sat in the garden before Lily’s niece, June Kramer, helped them cut the birthday cake, made in the home’s kitchens.

Kay Court care worker Stella Chukukere said: “I’ve looked after Lily since she came here. She is very friendly and loves to chat. We play cards and she joins in the musical movement sessions. She also likes to watch TV. She is always happy – I’ve never seen her get annoyed. Lily told us the way we are looking after her she will reach 130.”

Three other Kay Court residents have reached their centenaries – Rose Rosenberg and Eva Moss are 101 and Mildred Oster is 100.