Sheila’s special milestone celebrated

Surrounded by her family and friends at Townsville University Hospital’s sub-acute care unit yesterday, Sheila McIntosh celebrated 103 years of life.

Landing in hospital after a sore knee resulted in the usually active centenarian having trouble with her mobility, Sheila’s original birthday plans were foiled.

Sheila’s daughter Vivienne Murphy said the family had planned a small, socially distanced gathering at the home she shares with Sheila.

“We wanted to spend the day with family at home but because we are here in hospital it has made it difficult,” she said.

“A small celebration in the gardens of the hospital’s sub-acute care unit was the new plan and even though Mum is in hospital, her spirits were high and she loved all the fuss.

“Mum’s granddaughter-in-law, great-granddaughter and granddaughter all work at the hospital and they were all at the party.”

Vivienne said even at 103, Sheila was a bright spark and deserved to be celebrated in these uncertain times.

“It would have been wrong not to find a way to mark this momentous occasion,” Vivienne said.

“We were thrilled when she turned 100 and to still be celebrating her life at 103 is so special.

“Mum has had a tough life; she originally came from a farm in Victoria before moving to a station in NSW where she did a lot of hard work moving cattle around.

“She’s lived a very full and active life and to this day, spends her time doing cross stitch, playing piano and keeping general tabs on everything going on around her.”

Vivienne said Sheila was very proud that she made it to 103.

“As Mum has dementia we do have to keep reminding her of her birthday,” she said.

“Every time we tell her she’s rather surprised at the realisation she’s 103.”

Townsville University Hospital sub-acute care unit nurse unit manager Kirsty Dillon said patients’ birthdays were always special but 103 was a great achievement.

“This is the first time since being the sub-acute nurse unit manager that I’ve had a patient celebrate such a big birthday,” she said.

“Sheila is as cute as a button and a delight to care for, so our team is thrilled to have helped make her birthday so special.”

Vivienne said Sheila’s very special friend, her dog Percy, made a surprise visit to the sub-acute care unit to help celebrate.

“We were disappointed we couldn’t continue our tradition of gifting Mum a pet for her birthday but Percy certainly made her smile,” she said.

“When she turned 99, we gave her two goldfish, when she turned 100, we gave her two budgies and when she turned 102, we gifted her a duck, which was a bit of a joke,” she said.

“We stumbled across a letter she had written to Santa as a child requesting a duck, a balloon, and a bucket and spade so we thought the duck was in line with previous years’ presents so that’s what she got.

“This year we gifted her a teddy bear and she loved him.”