Stanmore resident celebrates birthday that makes her 34th oldest woman in the UK

She’s a great-grandmother to 13 children, was named after a Jewish Queen, and recently celebrated turning 109 making her the 34th oldest person in the UK.

Esther Sachon, whose Hebrew name is Malka, put on a crown and mask to mark her 109th birthday on the Jewish festival of Purim with staff, residents and volunteers at the Princess Alexandra Home in Stanmore, where she has lived for the past eight years.

She also celebrated with a birthday tea together with her family including daughter Helena who she says “keeps me young.”

Previously, getwestlondon reported the oldest person in the UK and second oldest in the world Sant Kaur Bajwa of Heston had died in 2013, and in her memory her grandson released a self help book to live life to the full.

Helena said: “Mum started as a dressmaker and then after Dad died she had to work hard. She worked for Wallis (Oxford Street) for 30 years. She was a great cook, kept a great home, looked after us very well and only knew about doing things for other people.

“Mum always worked in fashion and didn’t retire until she was well into in her 70s – and no one had a clue how old she was because she always looked so young.

“Now, at 109, mum’s very particular about what she wears and takes great care over her appearance. She gets her nails and hair done at the home every week and she’s still so observant, she notices everything.”

Zeppelins over London

She has lived through two world wars, remembers the Zepplins over London and recalls a time when a neighbour owned a cow where her family would get fresh milk from in the mornings.

Born on March 18 1907, she grew up in the East End near Whitechapel and met her husband Louis while dancing at the Oxford & St George’s Club at Henriques House aged 17.

She was married at 20 and the couple later moved to Stamford Hill, Hendon and then to Stanmore, not far from the home where she lives now.

They had two sons, Peter and Michael, who have sadly passed away, and their youngest, daughter Helena was just five-years-old when her father passed away in 1951.

Today, Ms Sachon is a proud grandmother of five and has 13 great-grandchildren, from the ages of 15 months into their 20’s, who visit at her at the home.

She enjoys occasionally playing cards with other residents at the home and has received six greeting cards from The Queen.

When asked how she stays so young, Esther said: “It’s my daughter Helena who keeps me young.”

Home manager, Elizabeth Mandeya added: “We really enjoyed celebrating this landmark birthday with Esther, and wish her congratulations.

“She’s a lovely lady with a very good sense of humour, she is very alert and knows all the staff by name.

"She has seen so much in her lifetime and she is a remarkable living histories of the past century.”