“Keep learning, eat well and keep active.”

That’s the invaluable advice of a North Belfast woman as she celebrated her 101st birthday this week.

A resident of Abbeyfield’s Merville House in Newtownabbey, Mabel Williams was joined by family, friends, staff and volunteers to celebrate the significant milestone over a leisurely afternoon tea on Monday.

From 1948 Mabel lived at Merville Garden Village off the Shore Road with her mother.

Now resident at Abbeyfield House since 1995, Mabel said she thoroughly enjoys her life there. When asked what advice she would give to others on how to live a long life, without any hesitation she offered the following simple advice to friends, family and staff: “Keep learning, eat well and keep active.”

Congratulating Mabel on her 101st birthday, Aislinn Morgan, House Manager at Abbeyfield Merville House, said: “Over the course of the past 16 years our staff have got to know Mabel, her friends and family very well, and we are all truly delighted and honoured to be a part of her 101st birthday celebrations.”

Abbeyfield is a charity providing supported sheltered housing for older people in comfortable, family-style accommodation for seven to ten residents.