“LIFE’S a school. You learn every day,” says Enniskillen woman Jean McFarland, who turns 90 today.

The sprightly pensioner is living proof that you are never too old to learn.

Mrs McFarland, who lives in Burrendale with her 93-year-old husband Robert, still attends painting classes held in Rossorry Parish Church Hall, Enniskillen.

The members of the class, which is tutored by celebrated Irvinestown artist Eddie McNulty, held a surprise party for Mrs McFarland on Friday, just under a week ahead of her special day.

Speaking to the Impartial Reporter as she prepared to turn 90, the popular Enniskillen woman thanked her classmates for the unexpected celebration.

She said: “Everyone was too kind. I didn’t know anything about it. It was a big surprise for me and a shock!”

Having been a regular attender at the class for the last five years, Mrs McFarland praised the friendliness of her fellow students and insisted she has no intention of giving it up any time soon.

Jean and her husband Robert, a retired estate agent who helped to found the well-known Eadie and McFarland firm, are also regular entrants at the annual Fermanagh County Show.

While Jean has enjoyed success in the painting, flower arranging and cooking classes over the years, Robert has won prizes for his vegetables.

Jean said: “He’s had a lot of success over the years with his garden. He’s 93 and still enjoying it.”

She added: “God has been good to us.”

Meanwhile, Yvonne Elliott, the organiser of the painting classes, said that they were planning on putting on a display of their works in the hall in January next year.