Residents, staff and loved ones came together to celebrate a very special milestone as Mary Montague marked her 102nd birthday.
The day brought together multiple generations of Mary’s family, including a surprise visit from her granddaughters and her very recent great granddaughter.
Friends, fellow residents and the team at Wren House all joined in the celebrations, helping to create a warm and memorable occasion.
The home was decorated for the celebration, with a birthday cake taking centre stage as everyone gathered to wish Mary a happy birthday. Messages of congratulations were also received from friends and family further afield, adding to the occasion.
Mary, who has lived at Wren House since January 2019, has strong links to the Warminster area stretching back to her school days during the Second World War. She was a pupil at the Royal School in Bath before relocating to Longleat House in 1939, when the school buildings were requisitioned. She has many fond memories of her time there, including lessons held in unusual spaces throughout the house.
After leaving school, Mary trained as a nurse at St Thomas’ Hospital in London. She later married her husband Drogo, and together they raised three children. In later years, they lived in East Stour before returning to Warminster in 2002.
Following Drogo’s passing, Mary lived independently before moving to Wren House, where she remains a much-valued member of the community. Today, she is a proud grandmother of five and great-grandmother of nine.
Mary’s son Chris said: “All of the staff took so much trouble to make it a special event. The whole family cannot thank them enough.”
Reflecting on her birthday, Mary said: “It was absolutely amazing. I feel blessed to be surrounded by so much love and affection.”
When asked about the secret to her long life, she added: “To be taken care of and to be truthful. My darling husband took care of me, and now the staff at Wren House do.”
Tracey Atkins, home manager at Wren House, said: “It was an absolute honour to celebrate Mary’s 102nd birthday with her and her wonderful family. She is a truly special lady and a much-loved member of our Wren House community. Seeing generations of her family come together to celebrate such a remarkable milestone made the day even more meaningful, and we are delighted we could help create such happy memories for her.”
