Centenarian Celebrates 100th Birthday with Family and Cypriot Feast
Katriye Sefkat Ariel, born on April 11, 1926, in Cyprus, has marked her remarkable 100th birthday at Sleaford Hall care home in Sleaford, Lincolnshire. Surrounded by family, carers, and fellow residents, she enjoyed a celebration filled with music, laughter, and traditional Cypriot dishes.
The Secret to a Century: No Takeaways and Home-Cooked Meals
Katriye attributes her longevity to a lifelong commitment to healthy eating. "I've never had a takeaway," she says. "I've always stuck to an organic diet, with as many fruit and vegetables as possible and always cooked food from scratch." She believes this habit has been key to reaching her centennial milestone.
Her birthday party paid homage to this philosophy, featuring a spread of specialty Mediterranean dishes. Head chef Jeanpaul Harden Everitt prepared a homemade birthday cake, adding to the festive atmosphere.
A Life of Travel and Family
Born in Cyprus when it was a British protectorate, Katriye has lived through a century of change. She moved to London with her husband, who worked for a British company, and spent over 70 years in the South raising her family.
Earlier this year, she relocated to Sleaford to be closer to her son and found a forever home at the 67-bed Sleaford Hall on Ashfield Road.
Emotional Celebrations and Community Joy
The celebration was an emotional event for Katriye, who has three sons, a daughter, grandchildren, and a great-grandchild. "I am proud to have reached 100 and think fondly of the loved ones I have outlived," she said. "Thank you to everyone at Sleaford Hall for making me feel so special at 100."
Her son, Levent, shared, "Mum was in tears today when the staff presented her with a cake and her birthday surprise - it was lovely to see her so happy."
Home manager Sherin Kandi added, "Katriye is very proud of her Mediterranean roots and enjoys traditional food, so we wanted to make a big nod to this on her special day. It is a privilege to celebrate such a milestone with her, and her birthday party brought all the residents together which was wonderful to see."
The party also featured music from the 1950s and 60s, reflecting Katriye's love for songs from that era, making it a truly personalized and memorable occasion.
