A surprise party was held for Dorothy Moore, a 100-year-old service user at the Short Term Care Centre in Plymouth. She celebrated her milestone birthday with 1,217 cards sent from across Livewell Southwest, making it a memorable occasion.

Dorothy, affectionately known as 'Dolly,' was born in 1925 on a family farm in Coryton, near Lifton. Her older sister once remarked that she looked like a dolly, and the name stuck. Dolly attributes her successful life to the routine of farming, which taught her many valuable habits.

She was home-schooled and, as a teenager, helped her family with the milk round. In her free time, she enjoyed village dances, a passion she continued well into her nineties.

After World War Two, Dolly worked as a nanny for several families in Devon and London, before becoming a school cook until her retirement. In her later years, she embraced various hobbies including woodworking, sewing, cooking, gardening, dancing, and art. Dolly was also a volunteer at the National Trust property Saltram House in Plymouth for many years.

Fiercely independent, Dolly has always cherished her home and garden. She still enjoys cooking for herself, with cakes being her specialty, and looks forward to spending time in the garden with the help of the Short Term Care Centre's team, who have supported her with strength and mobility.

Manager Karen Turvey praised Dolly, saying: “Dolly is an absolute inspiration. 100 years of wisdom. We are so grateful for the opportunity to share such a special day with her. Thank you to everyone who helped support the birthday party. It really meant a lot.”

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