Celebrating her 95th birthday last week was Eveline Rankin, who is helping maintain a family tradition for longevity.

Eveline’s mother, the late Margaret Rankin was at one time Fermanagh’s most senior citizen and she lived until just a few weeks short of her 110th birthday.

Last Thursday, Eveline marked her special milestone at a family gathering at Millcroft Nursing Home, Enniskillen, where she has been a resident for about three years.

The event was actually one of two birthday parties held for Eveline, who was born at Vance’s Turn, Florencecourt, on March 5, 1920, a daughter of the late Margaret and John Rankin.

One in a family of eight - four girls and four boys - she is one of three siblings now surviving; longevity runs in the family and a lot of her family members have enjoyed long lives.

During her career, Eveline served in the RAF, and she lived at Brughas, Enniskillen, where she did pig farming.

Over the years, she enjoyed being a very active figure and in her senior years she lived at Westbridge House, Enniskillen, before moving into Millcroft.

Among those who joined her on the actual birthday date last Thursday to extend good wishes was her brother Cecil.

He mentioned that Eveline enjoyed two birthday parties this year as he had also joined the special birthday girl and their sister Maud Patton for an earlier birthday party.

In addition to birthday cake, there were lots of cards, flowers and gifts for the delighted recipient, who enjoyed her celebrations.