'Sharp as a tack' Stella beats Covid to reach her century
TO be diagnosed with Covid-19 two days before your 100th birthday would leave most people reeling. It certainly worried the family of great-grandmother Stella Hunt who celebrated the century milestone last Saturday.
But when they arrived to wave happy birthday through the window of Stella’s bedroom at Carlton House care home in Barton, to their astonishment they found her “smiling away and taking it all in her stride”.
Son Derek said: “It was a real shock to be told on the Thursday that mum had tested positive for the virus. It was obviously a huge worry.
“But when we saw her, she was literally beaming away and really enjoying her birthday, especially the fact that she got a card from the Queen.
“To be honest she is amazing for her age. She can’t move very much but she is still as sharp as a tack.”
Stella’s family credit her robust response to having Covid to receiving the coronavirus vaccine just over two weeks ago.
Derek was accompanied on the birthday visit by daughter Emma Durrell, her husband and their children. Emma said: “We couldn’t believe it when we were told she had Covid. But as per usual she has remained strong as ever.
“It was so lovely to see her, and she was so happy to see us. We gave her a card and a
cake, and my children had made her a happy birthday banner which they held up at the window.
“She was all smiles. Obviously, we would love to have given her a hug but hopefully we will be able to do that soon.”
Emma added: “She is a very strong lady, but I think it has helped that she had the vaccine. Apparently, she has, so far, had no symptoms at all.”
Stella was born in Boscombe and moved to Christchurch after marrying husband Geoff at Christchurch Priory in June 1942.
Together they founded Priory Glass in Milham Street. It was a huge success and was eventually taken over by Derek. Sadly, Geoff died in 1986. Stella has two granddaughters and five great-grandchildren.
Emma said: “We are all so fortunate to have this wonderful lady in our lives. We miss seeing her face-to-face so much, but she receives wonderful care at the home and loves it there.”
