Ipswich 105-year-old Marjorie celebrates grand birthday

Ipswich-born Marjorie Pinder turned the milestone age on Sunday and marked the occasion with a party on Monday, complete with birthday cake, balloons, fellow residents and staff, and visits from family.

Born in Ipswich in 1919, Marjorie grew up living in Surbiton Road, until meeting her first husband Jack Rodgers.

After marrying in 1943, the couple lived near Woodbridge Road and then took over the running of the Dove pub in Debenham.

Marjorie was 'Queen for a Day' on her 105th birthday (Image: Charlotte Bond)

Some years later, Marjorie went on to work at the much-loved department store Footman Pretty & Co, which stood in the former Debenhams store for more than a century, and then at Marks & Spencer in Ipswich.

Jack sadly died with lung cancer, and Marjorie went on to meet her second husband, David Pinder, in the early 1970s. They met dancing at the Manor Ballroom in Ipswich.

They lived together in Daffodil Close for years before moving into sheltered accommodation later in life, before David passed away in 2020.

These days, Marjorie enjoys socialising with other residents in her care home and enjoying a stout in the evenings, according to care home staff.

She also keeps in contact with her nieces, Janet Thompson, who lives in Norfolk, and Margaret Turner, who is now on the other side of the world in Texas.

Ms Thompson described her aunt as "a fun person who loves people".

She added: "Marjorie is always happy with her lot in life. She's gregarious. Running the pub in Debenham was absolutely perfect for her. We did have some fun over there."

Marjorie herself said she had a "lovely day" celebrating with some of her "lovely friends". 

She added that there are "no secrets" to a long life, only that she loves to have a good time and dance.

Marjorie with her birthday card from King Charles. (Image: Charlotte Bond)