Something to sing about (From Penarth Times)

Something to sing about

A PENARTH woman was popping the champagne corks this week as she celebrated her 100th birthday.

Georgina Irene Outen, who lives at Hazelhurst Nursing Home, was delighted to receive her telegram from the Queen.

She also received birthday greetings from other prominent well-wishers, including First Minister of the Welsh Assembly Rhodri Morgan and Welsh Secretary Peter Hain.

On the morning of her birthday Irene received a surprise visit from the choir of St Augustine's Church.

Georgina's nephew John Baker, of Redlands Road, said: "Georgina loves singing and was over the moon when the choir showed up. She was in her element joining in with some of her favourite hymns, like There is a green hill far away and Jesus loves me this I know.

"Georgina had a nasty fall three years ago, which is why we moved her to Hazelhurst. Since coming here she has found a new lease of life. I think she really likes the company. Her short-term memory is not very good, but she is still able to vividly recall events from many years ago."

And living for a century, Georgina Outen has many memories to muse over.

She was born in the docks area of Cardiff in 1904. Her mother died in childbirth when Georgina was just seven.

Georgina, who had four sisters and one brother, then went to live with an aunt and was later taken into service as a house cleaner.

She has married twice, although both her husbands died before reaching the age of 50.

Her second husband was an Australian who was in the Merchant Navy. Georgina had no children, but enjoys an extended family life through her many nephews and nieces.

She spent 25 years working for the Gas Board at Snelling House, for which she received a British Empire Medal.