Margaret Cameron, a Scottish woman born in 1925, recently celebrated her 100th birthday surrounded by family, friends, and five generations of loved ones. Her secret to reaching this remarkable milestone? A steady diet of morning porridge, a lifetime of dancing, and the support of a close-knit family.
The celebration took place at Cathkin House, a care home in East Kilbride, Scotland, where staff hosted a special party complete with a large birthday cake and visits from Margaret’s great-great-grandchildren — the highlight of her day, she said.
“I feel great. I don’t feel 100 — I still feel so young!” Margaret remarked during the event. Her advice to the younger generation? “Don’t get into debt!”
Born in the East End of Glasgow in January 1925, Margaret grew up with her parents, Janet and William, and five sisters in a lively household. In 1947, she married Bill Cameron on Boxing Day. The couple had five children together and raised their family in Bridgeton before relocating to the Cranhill neighborhood of Glasgow.
During World War II, Margaret served in the NAAFI (Navy, Army and Air Force Institutes) and was stationed in Inverness in the Scottish Highlands. After the war, she worked in the accounts department of McKellar Watts, a sausage manufacturing company in Shettleston.
Margaret retired at 58 but remained socially active. Two years after leaving the workforce, she joined a sequence dance club at the Red Deer Community Centre in East Kilbride. For three decades, she danced weekly, served as the club’s registrar, and became a member of its committee.
When not dancing, Margaret enjoyed going to the cinema, attending musicals, and spending time with her extended family. She attributes her longevity to daily joy and routine: “Dancing and porridge for breakfast every morning,” she explained. “And happiness and having a good family.”
Cathkin House’s home manager, Nisha Sujeewon, praised the centenarian’s energy and positivity. “It was an honor to celebrate Margaret’s birthday. She’s a beloved resident, and we all had a wonderful time marking this milestone,” she said. “Her story is a testament to living a fulfilling and joyful life.”
Cathkin House provides full-time nursing and dementia care with a focus on fostering independence and community for its residents.
