A D-Day nursing heroine has toasted turning 103 by revealing her secret to staying young … a glass of Chardonnay-a-day!
Aged 21 Jean Grabaskey saw her life take an extraordinary turn in 1943, when she qualified as a nurse and joined the Queen Alexandra Imperial Military Nursing Service.
Jean played a part in the D-Day Landings in 1944 where, after travelling to Normandy, she worked in challenging conditions in a tented hospital a few miles from Caen, providing vital care to those injured in the conflict.
On 10th November the widow – who enjoyed 65 wonderful years of marriage – and great-grandmother-of-eight celebrated turning 103 with staff at Care UK’s Field Lodge Care Home in Cambridgeshire.
And she revealed her secret to old age … sipping a glass of white wine Chardonnay every day!
When asked for her elixir to staying young she quipped: “I’ve drank a glass of wine most evenings all my life with my supper.
“Also I’ve kept active all my life – but a glass of wine or two wouldn’t hurt anybody!”
Born just outside of Birmingham on 10th November 1921, young Jean Grabaskey went on to live in Portsmouth, Surrey, and Manchester, before settling in Nottingham at the age of 13.
During WWII and around D-Day when in France she assisted the badly injured before they were transferred back to the UK.
Jean moved onto Bruges in Belgium in December 1944 where the Army had taken over a convent and equipped it with hospital beds and operating theatres.
In 1948, Jean’s nursing career led her to Somaliland, where she met her husband, Hedley, a captain in the Royal Army Dental Corps.
The couple married in Nairobi, Kenya, in a small ceremony and later moved to St Ives, Cambridgeshire, where Hedley established dental practices.
Jean and Hedley shared 65 years of marriage, raising three daughters, and later welcoming six grandchildren and eight great-grandchildren.
Jean’s professional journey continued after she returned to the UK, working as a nurse at Guy’s Hospital in London until the age of 61.
Meanwhile she was an active member of the local community, volunteering with the ‘Meals on Wheels’ service.
A lifelong advocate for fitness, Jean has always incorporated exercise into her routine. At Field Lodge, she continues to prioritise staying active by participating in the weekly exercise programme.
When not keeping fit, Jean enjoys listening to easy listening music, and indulging in a pamper session with hair and nail treatments.
To help make Jean’s birthday one to remember, the team threw her a special party complete with a delicious birthday cake specially made by the home’s talented Head Chef, Donna, and a tipple of Jean’s favourite Chardonnay.
Linda Martinez, Home Manager at Field Lodge, said: “Here at Field Lodge, we take pride in celebrating significant milestones with our residents, and Jean’s 103rd birthday was no exception.
“It was wonderful to see her enjoying the day surrounded by family, friends, and fellow residents. The team worked hard to make sure it was a celebration to remember as we raised a glass to Jean.”
