Hallmark Nursing HomesA woman believed to be the oldest person in Europe celebrated her 115th birthday in a nursing home in Surrey.
Ethel May Caterham (née Collins) was born on August 21, 1909 and is considered the last surviving subject of Edward VII.
She spent her special day at Lakeview Care Home in Lightwater and celebrated with family and friends.
Ms Caterham said: “I don’t know what all the fuss is about” but admitted she “had a great day”.
She said the secret to her longevity is “never arguing with anyone. I listen and do what I like.”
The oldest person in the world, Spanish pensioner Maria Branyas Morera, died on Monday at the age of 117. Mrs. Caterham is now considered the oldest person in Europe.
Ethel Caterham was born in Shipton Bellinger in Hampshire and grew up in nearby Tidworth in Wiltshire.
At the age of 18, she worked as an au pair for a military family in India.
She returned to Britain in 1931 and met her future husband Norman Caterham.
They married in Salisbury Cathedral in 1933.
Hallmark Nursing Homes Mr Caterham became a lieutenant colonel in the army and the couple were stationed in Hong Kong and Gibraltar.
In Hong Kong, Mrs Caterham founded a daycare center.
She lived in Surrey for the last 50 years and drove until she was 97.
One of her sisters, Gladys, lived to be 104 years old.
Mrs Caterham has three granddaughters and five great-grandchildren.
To celebrate her birthday, the nursing home redesigned a garden and named it “Ethel’s Garden” as a lasting tribute to their most famous resident.
Ms Caterham said she was “very grateful”.
