Haywards Heath care home calls for 100 birthday cards for 100-year-old Sadie

Sadie Lassman reached the milestone on Sunday, January 29, at The Goldbridge Bupa Care Home in Kleinwort Close.

The care home said Sadie’s celebrations were set to include a party in the resident’s lounge with her family and friends, plus a homemade cake, gifts and cards from the local community.

Sadie said: “I never thought I’d make it to this age considering the serious illness I had as teenager.

“I’m lucky to be alive and my philosophy in life is never to give up no matter how tough the going is.”

Sadie has a positive outlook despite a difficult childhood. She grew up in the East End of London with two brothers during The Blitz and had rheumatic fever in her youth. This meant she had to quarantine in hospital and spent a long time convalescing at home. Once she recovered she left school early to help earn money for her family.

Sadie became a skilled seamstress and was known for creating beautiful garments with her family.

She married her husband Joe in 1944, and they had three children, four grandchildren and four great-grandchildren.

The care home said that since her youngest daughter Leigh and her husband passed away Sadie has been independent and managed a social life, joined U3A charities and volunteered at an Oxfam shop. She is also a keen gardener and attended a Sussex lip-reading class after losing her hearing, becoming its longest serving member.

Before Sadie’s big day, home manager Hasib Khan said: “Sadie is a lady of many talents. She has carried many of her hobbies into retirement, which is something we can all learn from. It is a pleasure to have Sadie at The Goldbridge and we can’t wait to celebrate her milestone birthday with her. We hope many people from the community will send in birthday cards for her.”

People can send a card to Sadie by addressing it to The Goldbridge, 3 Kleinwort Close, Haywards Heath, West Sussex RH16 4XH.

Bupa has more than 120 care homes in the UK as well as ten Richmond retirement villages. Visit www.bupa.co.uk/care-services.