Larne centenarian receives royal letter and flowers from Asda friends on 100th birthday

Ethel Blair, centre, with Gail Caldwell, Asda Larne Community Champion, McGee's butcher Conor O'Cleary, Serena Quigley, front right and Serena's dad Jim Steele, who also works on the McGee's counter at Asda Larne

A Larne woman who has spent more than a century watching the world change around her has marked her 100th birthday with a royal letter from the King, a hand-delivered gift from the Lord-Lieutenant’s office — and flowers from the supermarket team who have become part of her weekly routine.

Ethel Blair, who celebrated her centenary on May 20, was showered with gifts and warm wishes from family, friends and staff at Asda Larne, where she has shopped every Saturday for more than 15 years.

The former seamstress, who was born in 1926 in Magheramore, Co Antrim, said she was deeply moved by the kindness shown to her as she reached the remarkable milestone.

“I was very touched by the gifts,” Ethel said.

“I really couldn’t believe how much I’m thought of by the people at Asda. They’re a really lovely group of people.”

A century of life in County Antrim

Ethel Blair, 100, with her letter from the King

Born just eight years after the end of the First World War, Ethel spent her childhood helping on the family farm while balancing schoolwork before learning dressmaking at the age of 18.

She went on to work as a seamstress for decades before retiring more than 30 years ago.

Now aged 100, she still enjoys getting out and about and remains a familiar face around Larne — particularly during her weekly shopping trips to Asda with her nephew John.

Serena Quigley, who is married to Ethel’s nephew and works as butcher supervisor at the McGee’s counter in the store, said Ethel continues to amaze those around her with her independence and sharp sense of humour.

“She’s still incredibly independent and loves to get out and about as much as she can,” Serena said.

“John visits every day and takes her out several days a week, and like clockwork, he takes her to Asda every Saturday to do her shopping.

“She heads off with her trolley to get her groceries, and it’s a great opportunity to stop and chat to people from the town. Sometimes she meets people she hasn’t seen for years, and it’s something she really enjoys.”

Serena added that Ethel often jokes the secret to her long life is that she “never married or had children”.

Flowers, cupcakes and messages from the community

To celebrate turning 100, Ethel enjoyed a meal out with 18 friends and family and received numerous bouquets and birthday wishes.

But one of the moments that stood out most came during a visit to Asda Larne shortly after her birthday, when staff surprised her with flowers, cupcakes and a special card.

“We popped to Asda just after she turned 100, and she was delighted to see the team had remembered,” Serena said.

“She got some beautiful flowers and a card, as well as a tray of cupcakes.

“Ethel is a very special lady, so it was fantastic to see so many people wishing her all the best for her birthday.”

The celebrations also included a commemorative letter from the King and a personal delivery from the office of County Antrim’s Lord-Lieutenant — marking a birthday milestone reached by relatively few people across Northern Ireland each year.

A familiar face at Asda Larne for 15 years

Staff at Asda Larne said Ethel has become part of the fabric of the store since it opened in 2010, with many colleagues recognising her instantly during her regular visits.

Gail Caldwell, Community Champion at Asda Larne, said the team was delighted to help celebrate the occasion.

“It was my pleasure to present Ethel with some gifts from all of us at the store,” she said.

“She’s been shopping here for more than 15 years, and we all love to see her coming in. Huge happy birthday wishes to Ethel from all of us!”

In a world increasingly dominated by fast-moving headlines and fleeting moments, Ethel’s story offered something quieter but no less powerful — a reminder of the importance of community, friendship and the familiar faces that become part of everyday life over the decades.