Derry centenarian ‘Josie’ Parkhill née McLaughlin is 100 and still going strong

Mary Josephine (Josie) Parkhill (née McLaughlin), who is originally from Strathfoyle, celebrated the milestone on Tuesday with help from the team at the Glebe Care Home in Newtownabbey, where she now lives.

The home ensured the Josie could mark her 100th birthday in style despite her family not being able to attend due to the coronavirus pandemic.

Nicola Fox, administrator at the Glebe Road-based home, said: “Josie’s extended family wished they could be with her to celebrate this very special occasion and thanked the staff at Glebe Care Home for their care of Josie and their efforts for her 100th birthday.”

Ms. Fox said the whole family sent their birthday wishes on the landmark birthday.

“Her birthday was on April 26, but she celebrates on April 28 every year. With her love of the Royal Family, she is especially pleased to receive a 100th birthday wish from The Queen,” said the care home administrator.

Mrs. Parkhill was born on April 26 1920, close to Enagh Lough. She had one brother, Willie, who passed away in 2018, several months before his 100th birthday. Josie’s mother died when she was young and she was brought up by her aunt, Mrs. Kelly, who owned a farm. Mrs. Parkhill attended Enagh Lough Public Elementary primary school where she obtained a scholarship to the Technical College in Derry.

Her early working life was in domestic service. During the Second World War she enlisted in the Auxiliary Territorial Service (ATS). She married John Parkhill on July 10 1944 and settled in White City, Newtownabbey. Sadly John died suddenly in 1967.

They had three children, Gordon, Brian and Helen. Gordon and Brian reside in Spain and Harrogate respectively. Helen sadly passed away in 2017. The centenarian, who enjoyed baking and gardening has eight grandchildren and 15 great grandchildren.

Nicola said: “Although Josie suffers from dementia, she has a great repertoire of rhymes, is known to recite Shakespeare on occasion and can say the alphabet backwards, so she certainly livens up the day room.”