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Jean celebrates 105th birthday
A STONEHOUSE woman has become one of Lanarkshire’s oldest residents, aged 105.
Jean Leishman celebrated her milestone last week at a civic reception in Canderavon House, attended by South Lanarkshire Provost Russell Clearie and family and friends.
Miss Leishman said: “I cannot believe I have lived this long.
“I just take every day as it comes. It is an act of God that I am still here because I know many people would have loved to have lived to my age, it just goes to show no one has any jurisdiction over how long they will live.”
Ms Leishman added that she had been fortunate to enjoy good health throughout her life and that her secret was to stay active and keep the blood moving.
Jean worked at the Hamilton Advertiser for 40 years where she was in charge of the commercial printing department.
She said: “The work suited me and all of the staff were very nice and friendly — my life was great when I worked there.”
She retired in 1971 at the age of 68 and then began working as Stonehouse correspondent for the paper, conscientiously sending in details of events going on in the village every week, a job she did for 11 years.
Miss Leishman was instrumental in establishing a ‘savings group’ in Stonehouse during World War 2 and, as a result, she was invited to attend a Garden Party at Buckingham Palace in 1946 with Queen Elizabeth and King George VI.
Although she did not get a chance to speak to the King and Queen, she was close enough to count the ’bobby-pins’ in the Queen’s hair - all seven of them!
Ms Leishman, still bright and alert, remembered the event fondly and said it was a “lovely afternoon” which she was glad to be a part of.
Ms Leishman lived 102 years in her family home in Lockhart Street until she had an accident that left her with a broken hand and wrist. After treatment in Stonehosue Hospital, she was later transferred to Canderavon House where she has lived since May, 2005.
Ms Leishman enjoys living at Canderavon House as she has many friends there.
During her life, she has completed lots of voluntary work at St Ninian’s Church in Stonehouse, including being involved in many can collections.
Ms Leishman’s life ethic is “God comes first, my neighbour second and I come third.”
