A LIFELONG Wee County resident celebrated her 100th birthday at Beechwood Park Care Home.

Jeannie Houston was born on November 22, 1923, and marked the milestone birthday surrounded by her friends and family.

Born and raised in Tillicoultry, Jeannie went to work for Paton’s Mill textile factory and worked as a welder during the war at Kelliebank Boat Yard.

Known for her love for country dancing, she met her husband Jimmy out dancing, who she married in 1950 and settled in Alva.

Together, they had a son David and a daughter Evelyn who in turn went on to have three grandchildren, four great grandchildren and one great great grandchild.

Jimmy and Jeannie spent 30 years in Alva before moving to Beechwood Park in February 2023, where she was treated to a big party to mark the occasion.

Children from the nearby Sauchie ELC helped Jeannie open birthday cards they had made before she was surprised by her friends and family.

Anthony Ryan, home manager at Beechwood Park, said: “Although Jeannie only moved into Beechwood eight months ago, her passion for music has been evident.

“She enjoys all our music events and sometimes her family and friends visit and they enjoy the music events together.”

Jeannie’s party was also attended by the Lord Provost and the Lord Lieutenant, who presented the centenarian with a bouquet of flowers and her card from the King.

Provost Donald Balsillie added: “Jeannie is a great character, she was a welder through the war so she would’ve been involved in constructing more than 100 landing crafts for D Day.

“It was a nice day, she had lots of family there so certainly one of the busiest events I’ve attended. It was a really nice event, they had a DJ and everyone seemed like they enjoyed themselves.”

“She was one of the first to receive the King’s card and the whole day went very well.”

Beechwood Park is run by the Aria Care Group and provides specialist nursing care and dementia care.

For more information on Aria Care and the services they provide, visit their website.