03 March 2022
Friends, relatives and the local community have come together to celebrate the 103rd birthday of FirstPort resident Jean Turner.
A valued member of the local community, Jean, of Swanbridge Court in Dorchester, began her special day with local radio interviews, before a special birthday lunch with her daughter.
Upon her return, Jean’s friends and neighbours had gathered for a surprise celebration at Swanbridge Court. The community came together to mark the big day, with music and an audio system supplied by local radio station Keep 106, while BBC South Today were also in attendance to cover Jean’s special day.
Jean also received surprise gifts from her fellow residents, as well as representatives of Dorset and Somerset Air Ambulance, a cause close to Jean’s heart, having collected donations for them for many years.
Jean was born on 25th February 1919 in Cheshire. Jean left school at 14 to learn shorthand and typing before marrying her sweetheart, Peter, who was in the RAF.
Following various destination postings with the RAF, including one of Jean’s favourites, Singapore, Peter and Jean returned to the Southwest of England to settle with their young family.
Following Peter’s retirement, he and Jean moved to Swanbridge Court in 1990, where they enjoyed the full and varied social life of independent retirement living and also celebrated their Diamond Wedding Anniversary in 2006.
Sadly, Peter passed away in 2007. Jean has remained living happily and independently surrounded by her friends at Swanbridge Court, and is often spotted taking her daily walks around the development.
Often asked what the secret to her longevity is, Jean always replies insists:
”Living at Swanbridge Court”.
We’re very proud to see how the local community came together to help celebrate a special day for a much-loved resident, and we’re delighted to see that she had a wonderful birthday!
