Last Tuesday 11 October, residents, family and staff at The Royal Star & Garter Homes celebrated the 100^th birthday of much-loved resident Marjorie Steiner – in the Charity’s own centennial year.

Marjorie, or Johnnie as her family knows her, enjoyed her birthday party surrounded by friends, residents and family members at the Charity’s Surbiton Home, which cares for disabled veterans. It was a day to remember with giant balloons, a spectacular cake (made by the Home’s chef, Les) and a lively performance from ‘A Couple of Swells’. Johnnie was thrilled to receive a card from Her Majesty The Queen.

Although her real name is Marjorie, her father, who had wanted a boy, had called her Johnnie from a very young age and the name stuck. She was one of four girls. Johnnie’s late husband Peter, a towering man to her petite frame, served in the RAF in the Second World War, whilst Johnnie went into nursing. They were married in 1945 and had two children, Martin and Vicky. Last year would have been their 70^th anniversary but sadly Peter passed away, comforted by the knowledge that his wife would be safe and well-cared for now that she was living in The Royal Star & Garter Homes.

Johnnie’s daughter Vicky said, “She still cannot believe her age. Nor can she believe how lucky she is to have the wonderful care and attention she receives at the Surbiton Home. Her life has turned to a very contented time surrounded by caring and loving staff, volunteers and family. My brother and I cannot speak more highly of the care Johnnie receives. It is not just care, though, it is the love and, perhaps most of all, fun that goes into each day for Johnnie.”