A HAPPY outlook on life and working to the age of 85 was Alice Evenden?s view on the secret to long life, as she celebrated her century last week.
The 100-year-old was given a party at Moorgate Residential Home, where she has been a resident for one and a half years, surrounded by her children, grandchildren and great-grandchildren.
Alice was born at Westbridge Cottages in Tavistock and although she moved to Sussex in her teens, she returned to the town after the war with her husband.
When she embarked on a temporary domestic job at Mount House School at the age of 60, little did she know she would still be there 25 years later.
?When I saw all the dishes piled up I knew I had better stay,? said Alice. ?It was such a lovely place to work because it was full of happy people.?
Other members of Alice?s family obviously thought the same because Mount House provided employment to her daughter, grand-daughter and great grand-daughter. Among the many floral displays sent to Alice for her 100th birthday was one from the school.
The centenarian has retained good health and keeps up to date with the news: ?She keeps us all on her toes,? said grand-daughter Christine Ranson. ?She usually tells us what is going on.?
Fiercely independent Alice who travelled to Plymouth by bus to shop well into her 90s, plus doing her own cooking and gardening, was described as ?a pleasure? by acting manager of Moorgate Nick Easteal. ?She is very bright and active and brightens up all our days.?