Party for Nellie on her 100th birthday

Party for Nellie on her 100th birthday

6 November 2024

A LOCAL woman celebrated a milestone birthday on Saturday afternoon.

Mrs Ellen Cooper had a 100th birthday party at King’s Castle Nursing Home in Ardglass, where she has been a resident along with her 96 year-old husband, Jackie, for the past two years.

Known to all as Nellie, many of Mrs Cooper’s family and friends came together to celebrate, 

including her cousins, in-laws, 10 grandchildren and 11 great-grandchildren.

She was also delighted to received a special card from King Charles, as well as a letter from Republic of Ireland President Michael D Higgins, to mark the occasion.

Originally from Belfast, Nellie was born on 2nd November, 1924. Some of her happiest memories from her youth include going to dances in Belfast and visiting Killough.

She can also recall German planes flying overhead during WWII when she lived in a shop in Belfast. 

Nellie married her husband in Chicago in 1949. She has visited New York, and has also enjoyed trips to Donegal and Kerry.

Moving to Downpatrick in 1971, Nellie was a devoted stay-at-home mum to her three daughters, Kathleen, Dolores and Connie, who sadly passed away in 2006. 

She also worked for a time at Downpatrick Technical College and St Colmcille’s Primary School, while her husband was a general labourer.

Nellie loves music, and is a long-time fan of Frank Sinatra. She also enjoys reading and being around family and friends.

Her daughter, Kathleen, says she admires her mother’s “devotion to family”. 

Nellie believes the secret to a long life is her faith and she has never smoked or drank alcohol. 

Kathleen would like to thank the staff at King’s Castle, who she says have been “terrific”, for facilitating the party.