Woman who turned 100 in Aylesbury reveals secret to a long life

Marion Jessie Lubiewski had her 100th birthday last Wednesday on 1 April, which she celebrated with her friends and carers at Lakeside, as well as a visit to the front door from her daughter Susan so she could watch her mum open her cards, albeit from a safe distance.

Marion was born on Thursday 1 April, 1920, in London. Weighing only three and a half pounds at birth, life began with a struggle for Marion but like many others to come later, she would pull through.

Leaving school at 14, Marion became a dressmaker. In 1938 she got married and in 1940 her daughter was born. A son was soon to follow.

Her first marriage wasn't to last, but in 1954 Marion found love again, marrying a Polish refugee who had been unable to return after the war due to the Soviet influence and the threat of persecution. The couple had a son together.

Marion went on to work in the kitchen at Abbey School in High Wycombe but never gave up her dressmaking, in particular enjoying making wedding dresses.

Though her husband sadly died in 1997, Marion's lust for life continues. Until the recent lockdown kicked in, Marion regularly went to the pub with her daughter to enjoy her favourite white wine.

Exemplifying her vivacious manner, when we asked Marion what her secret was to a long life, she said: “Live it!”

Other notable events in April 1920 were the marriage of famous novelist F. Scott Fitzgerald and the first international flight out of the United States (to The Bahamas).