HELENA Graham was all smiles as she celebrated her 100th birthday in the company of her family at the County Care Home in Enniskillen last Friday, May 28.

Along with her family members, including her sister, Dorothy Hegan, and brother, Ernest Graham, Helena was joined by Bishop Ian Ellis and his wife, Heather, for her birthday party.

Making the day extra special, Helena was delighted to receive a birthday card from Her Majesty The Queen.

Born in 1921 to William and Margaret Graham of Drumcolgny, Letterbreen, Helena is the second eldest of eight children.

She was educated at Mullaghdun School. When Helena was 16, the family moved to farm at The Graan, Enniskillen, where she holds fond memories of growing up there with her siblings.

Farming was very much a family enterprise, with the entire family working hard together on the farm, bringing a great source of pride to them all.

During the war years, Helena trained in Huddersfield and qualified as a nurse in 1945. Afterwards, she worked at The County Hospital, and then took on the role of the Nursing Sister of the Sanatorium at Portora Royal from 1953 until 1973.

During her nursing career, Helena continued to support the family at The Graan, spending one day per week helping with housework and the farm.

Her father passed away in 1957, and in 1966 she and her mother moved to Kinarla, which then became her home for more than 40 years.

After leaving Portora in 1973, Helena moved to Nottinghamshire and became the Nursing Sister of the Sanatorium at Trent College in Nottinghamshire from 1974 to 1981. It was here that she developed her passion for gardening.

She retired in 1981, and returned home to Fermanagh and Kinarla.

Throughout the 100 years of her life, Helena has maintained a strong interest in gardening, as well as growing fruit and vegetables, and flowers for arranging.

She is an accomplished baker and cook – having taught many of her nieces her skills. She has always had a strong interest in sport, and particularly enjoyed watching rugby.

During her retirement, Helena devoted much of her time to her church – Rossorry – and was a founding member of the Wednesday Club. She also volunteered in the hospital tea bar, as well as stewarding annually at the County Show.

Helena moved into a Fold development in 2000, until 2018 when she had a fall, and was unable to live independently thereafter.

After a stay in hospital, she had a year-long stay in Knockmoyle Nursing Home in Omagh, before moving to the County Care Home in September, 2019.

The Graham family would like to express their sincere thanks to the County Care Home for her ongoing care, and for helping to arrange her 100th birthday celebrations.