Keeping busy and leading a full and active life is one of the secrets to happiness and longevity according to Langdon House resident Alice.
Alice was born in St. John’s Wood, London, in 1924, marking the beginning of a life rich in experiences and contributions. Now, at 100 years old, she is a much-loved resident of Langdon House in Chesterton, Cambridge, where she has been living since 2022.
Alice’s milestone birthday was celebrated with three distinct gatherings, each reflecting her love for family and community.
The main celebration took place at the Three Horseshoes in Madingley, where Alice was surrounded by family members, including her twin great-grandsons who are just eight months old.
In addition to the main event, Alice’s son and daughter, along with their spouses, joined her for an intimate lunch hosted at Langdon House. The five of them shared stories, laughter, and a meal, enjoying each other’s company in a more personal setting.
The third celebration was a delightful tea party at Langdon House with the residents. Alice enjoyed cake and the warm camaraderie of her fellow residents, highlighting the sense of community that she has always valued deeply.
Alice’s journey through life is a remarkable story of resilience, dedication, and love. She began her nursing career in 1943 at University College Hospital (UCH) in London during the turbulent times of World War II. Despite the Blitz having ended, London was still under threat from the dreaded doodlebugs—missiles launched from northern France. Alice vividly recalls the chaos and urgency of those days, describing UCH’s underground maze of pathways, which became a haven for the injured.
After completing her training and serving as a staff nurse, Alice got engaged to Bernard, her brother’s best friend and a war-time doctor. They married in 1949, and Bernard’s career brought them to Cambridge in 1957, where he worked at Addenbrooke’s Hospital.
Alice’s career took her abroad to Montreal briefly 1947-1948, where she worked in a prestigious Jewish hospital, and she fondly remembers her astonishment at the abundance of oranges—a rare sight in post-war Britain.
Once married, Alice dedicated herself to raising their three children: Judith, Jonathan, and David. Tragically, Jonathan died in a car accident in Africa, a loss that deeply affected the family.
Alice’s spirit of volunteerism has always been a cornerstone of her life. She has contributed to various organisations, including the Cambridgeshire Older People Enterprise (COPE), Arthur Rank Hospice, Kettle’s Yard, the Folk Museum, and the Botanical Gardens. However, her most significant volunteer role was teaching Braille at Camsight in Cambridge, reflecting her lifelong commitment to helping others.
Her hobbies and interests are as varied as they are enriching. From knitting—a skill she learned from a Danish lady who worked as the family cook—to reading, classical music, and theatre, Alice has always kept herself engaged. Her home library, filled with works by Charles Dickens, George Eliot, and Rudyard Kipling, was a source of endless fascination and joy.
Alice attributes her long life to a combination of factors: staying busy, meeting lots of people, abstaining from smoking and drinking, and maintaining a balanced diet. Even after her husband’s death, she continued to live an active life, avoiding the pitfalls of loneliness and inactivity. “I have never been this busy,” she often tells her family, emphasising the importance of a full and active life.
Today, Alice continues to lead a vibrant life at Langdon House in Cambridge. She receives a monthly visit from a librarian who brings her four new books, keeps her sewing skills sharp by helping the head housekeeper with minor mends, and enjoys knitting blankets for Arthur Rank. She is also an active participant in the reading club and loves jigsaw puzzles.
Alice Zeitlyn’s 100th birthday was not just a celebration of her life but also a reflection of her enduring spirit and the many lives she has touched. Happy birthday Alice.
