Sheila Thornhill blows out the candles

A TRUE Irish lass celebrated her 100th birthday yesterday (Wednesday), telling the *New Journal* that the secret to longevity is simply “hard work”.

Sheila Thornhill enjoyed a party at the Denton House sheltered housing in Chalk Farm, where she has lived since 1994.

“I worked hard all my life,” she said. “I love Camden and can’t think of living anywhere else. Everywhere is so near and even in the chemist they came over with a box of chocolates and a card. They are so sweet, they all know me.”

Ms Thornhill was born in Redcastle, County Laois, Ireland. Her mother died in childbirth when she was 11, and her father was a captain in the British Army.

She married in 1956 but divorced her husband in 1971 and raised her three children alone.

A card from the Royal couple

Ms Thornhill said: “They were amazing, I used to go to work in the evening and my eldest, Kate, was great with my two other children when I was away. They were old enough to understand and knew it was right.”

For 37 years, until retirement in 1988, Ms Thornhill worked at the Royal Free Hospital, first as an orderly and then later as catering manager.

She said: “I used to go into the hospital in the evening from 5 to 9 when I was an orderly. They wanted me to train to be a nurse. I said ‘no thanks, don’t you know I have three children and have to give them some time’. I loved it with the patients, they were all so good. The hospital is brilliant.

“Then I was a supervisor in their kitchens – in the staff restaurant. I was very happy in the Royal Free. I left when I was 63 and retired, they wanted me to stay on. No matter what job they asked me to do, I did it. I never said no to anything – when you’re in a hospital you’re in it. You do everything, and no job should be any trouble.

“l love helping people, that was my whole life. The hospital was the greatest years of my life.”

Sheila and daughter Kate

Ms Thornhill takes care of the plants at Denton House and loves to cook even at 100, cheffing up her favourite meal of filleted steak, with gravy and onions.

But her true love is ballroom dancing, being well-versed in the foxtrot and waltz.

“When I was young I used to climb out of the bedroom window to get to the dances,” said Ms Thornhill adding: “I was first in the dance hall and last out.”

She has three children, Kate, James and Brian, four grandchildren and three great grand-children.