In the UK, a couple married for more than 76 years and were born just a day apart are able to celebrate and see each other on their 100th birthdays.
Eric and Dorothy Dowdy, who now lives in Cliftonville Care Home in Northampton, have been together for more than 7 decades, and they celebrated their Diamond wedding anniversary last year. They are now one of Britain’s longest married couples.
Eric and Dorothy had more celebrations after they celebrated their joint 100th birthdays with a card from the Queen, cake, and gifts from friends and family.
Eric was born on April 11, 1921, and Dorothy was born the day after. They met at the Royal & Derngate theatre in the 1940s, where he worked as an actor, while his wife was as a stage manager and served as his boss for a short time.
The two got married on April 3, 1945, in St Matthews Church, and had three children. Carlene, 75, Elizabeth, 70, and Matthew, 60 —all of them also worked in theatre. They also have four grandchildren and one great-grandchild.
The Dowdys have lived all over Britain with their line of work, including Harrogate, Folkestone, and Bristol, before returning to Northampton, their hometown.
Eric and Dorothy had lived together until Eric moved into a care home in April 2018 due to poor health. Five months later, Dorothy also moved in by his side after they were unable to cope with being apart.
“I couldn’t stand to be away from him, and I’m not getting any younger,” Dorothy said. “If you can’t beat them, join them.”
Eric added that he can’t share the secret to a long and happy marriage ‘or else [the whole thing] will fall apart,’ however, his wife shared her tips for living a long life.
“Healthy food, with the occasional chocolate treat and a glass of Sherry,” Dorothy said.
Lucie Bagnall, the Deputy Manager at Cliftonville Care Home said the Dowdy couple has been in the care home since 2018, and ‘they are both huge characters and are an absolute pleasure to care for.’
“We feel very honored to have been able to share their very special day,” Lucie said.