ONE hundred years have failed to dim the laughter of a sprightly pensioner who celebrated her centenary with the family.

Cecilia Graham has lived in Buckhurst Hill, for more than 60 years, and marked her century at Forest Place Nursing Home, in Roebuck Lane, with a sit-down meal attended by all her family.

Nurse Sheeba Eapen said: “It was a great day. The family members all came around 10 to 15 of them and they all went to the dining hall for a meal.

“She’s very funny, very witty. She’s always making everyone laugh, and does a lot of talking.”

Born, in Clapton, east London, in 1909, Cecilia married Fred Graham in 1937, and during the war they lived in Shirley, Birmingham.

They moved to Rous Road, Buckhurst Hill, in 1947 where they stayed for nearly sixty years until Fred’s death in March 2007 just six months short of their platinum wedding anniversary.

Cecilia has one son, Michael, two grandchildren, and three great grandchildren.

Michael Graham said: “She was always bright and cheerful as a person. She used to have the whole family around at Christmas when I was growing up. It was always my mother who’d be entertaining everyone.

“She’s very strong. I wish I knew has she does it. She was always very much involved with other people and got on with everybody.”