As she marks 100 years, one centenarian in Harrow says hard graft is the secret to a long life.
On Saturday (August 15), Laura Harvey celebrated her 100th birthday with a party at Sanctuary’s Duncan House retirement living scheme where she lives.
Her family came to visit including; son Brian, her five grandchildren, and her great-grandson, Richard.
To share the celebrations with the friends she has made at Duncan House through the years, Laura also hosted a second bash for staff and tenants over tea and birthday cake on Tuesday (August 18).
Following the festivities, the centenarian now has 63 cards and numerous flowers in her flat, as well as telegrams from both the Queen and her local MP.
For Laura, the key to reaching such a milestone was to never be afraid of some hard graft, even when she reached the age of 70.
She said: “My advice would be to work hard! If you put in the hours, you’ll get the benefits."
Laura added: “I was surprised and pleased to have all my family and friends visit and I had an absolutely lovely party – my flat now resembles a florist’s shop!
“It was really wonderful to be able to see family and friends I hadn’t seen for many years.”
Born in Shoreditch to parents Annie Harvey-Wells and Alfred Heller, in 1915, Laura reached higher education on a scholarship and spent most of her working life in accountancy – a career she carried on through to her 70s.
During the war, Laura took up work in Wembley, where she stayed for 48 years, for the General Electric Company (GEC) winding electrical coils.
After retiring, Laura remained active by volunteering two days a week at Northwick Park Hospital’s cardiology department. There, she put her bookkeeping experience to work in providing administrative support until the age of 90.
A keen knitter and devoted dancer in years gone by, she picked up awards at her local club for ballroom and sequence dancing including bronze, silver, gold and star medals, as well as two statuettes.
Her career in accountancy saw her spend a number of years working for a Bond Street fashion house, which supplied to the likes of Harrods.
For Laura, who enjoyed dancing in a range of elegant ballroom gowns, the fashion-focused job was a dream come true. Her love of staying smart and fashionable remains to this day.
Son Brian Harvey, 71, said: “If you were to meet her today, she’s still as stylish as when she danced.
“She will dress smartly, put on her makeup and keep up with her visits to the hairdresser – you’ll never see her in a dressing gown.
“She still has a sharp wit and keeps in touch with her grandchildren via Facebook and swaps jokes with them.
“She has a wonderful sense of humour, which often results in her having fits of uncontrollable laughter, which is very infectious.”
Laura moved to Duncan House with her late husband, Tom, in 1989, making her one of the scheme’s longest-standing residents.
SSL scheme manager Marcia Heath said: “It’s always a pleasure to have a catch up and chat with Laura – everyone here has been really looking forward to the big day and was excited to share Tuesday with her.”
