Party held for ‘loving’ Ethel as she turns 100

Ethel Brown has lived at the Koinonia Christian Care Home, in Winchester Road, Worthing, since May 2013 and was joined by family, friends, staff, residents and the mayor of Worthing on her big day.

She was born in Teddington, London, and lived in Algeria, Tunisia, Philadelphia, Morocco and Scotland before settling down in Worthing in 1987.

She said: “I find it very interesting to look back through the years. I think the world that I find right to see is the way the Lord led me.”

Ethel was joined at the care home by her two daughters, Christine, 69, and Carolyn, 63, her son Chris, 67, and two grandsons.

Chris, of Perth, Scotland, said his mother was ‘formidable’ and still had a very sharp mind.

He said: “It’s amazing and impressive. She’s slightly overwhelmed.

“She is used to dealing with crowds of people so she was in her element.

“She’s a profoundly devout person. She’s got amazing faith and she’s the most amazing storyteller. She’s got a story about everything.”

The family held another party in Ethel’s old flat on Heene Road on Friday. They were joined by Carolyn’s family from London.

Phyllis Alabaster, manager of the Koinonia Christian Care Home, said Ethel had a lot of guests coming in all week.

She said: “Ethel is the most Christian, loving and gentle woman that will give you the word of the Lord.”

Vic Walker, the mayor of Worthing, said Ethel was a wonderful person and it 
was a privilege to be at the care home to help celebrate her birthday.

Fellow care home resident Irene Godfrey celebrated her 100th birthday last Tuesday. She was visited by her daughter and received flowers.

She said she did not feel that much different from when she was 90 and the secret to her longevity probably ran in the family as her great grandmother also lived to 100.