Couple married for 76 years and born just a DAY apart wish each other a happy 100th birthday


Couple married for 76 years and born just a DAY apart wish each other a happy 100th birthday – as wife reveals secret to long life is ‘the occasional chocolate and a glass of sherry’

  • Eric and Dorothy Dowdy were able to celebrate their 100th birthdays together  
  • The pair, who are now one of Britain’s longest married couples, wed in April 1945
  • They have lived in a Northampton care home for together throughout lockdown 

A husband and wife married for more than 75 years were both able to see in their 100th birthdays this week – within one day of each other. 

Mr and Mrs Eric and Dorothy Dowdy, who live in Cliftonville Care Home in Northampton, have been together for 76 years, celebrating their Diamond wedding anniversary in 2020. 

The pair, who are now one of Britain’s longest married couples, had more celebrations this week after they celebrated their joint 100th birthdays with card from the Queen, cake and gifts from friends and family.    

Mr Dowdy, pictured  was born on April 11, 1921

While his future wife, Dolly, was born the day after

The happy couple celebrated their 100th birthdays together earlier this week

Mr Dowdy was born on April 11, 1921, and his future wife was born the day after. 

They met at the Royal & Derngate theatre in Northampton in the 1940s, where Mr Dowdy worked as an actor, and his future wife as a stage manager, who was his boss for a short time. 

The pair married on April 3, 1945 in St Matthews Church and went on to have three children; two daughters named Carlene, 75 and Elizabeth, 70,  and a son called Matthew, 60 who have all gone on to work in theatre. 

They also have four grandchildren and one great grandchild. 

The couple have lived all over the UK with their work, including Harrogate, Folkestone and Bristol, before returning to their hometown of Northampton. 

The happy couple pictured on their wedding day on April 3, 1945 - more than 75 years ago

The happy couple pictured on their wedding day on April 3, 1945 – more than 75 years ago 

They lived together until April 2018 when Mr Dowdy moved into a care home due to ill health. Just five months later, his wife was by his side after they were unable to cope with being apart.   

Mrs Dowdy said: ‘I couldn’t stand to be away from him, and I’m not getting any younger. If you can’t beat them, join them.’   

Her husband added that he can’t share the secret to a long and happy marriage ‘or else [the whole thing] will fall apart.’ 

Mrs Dowdy also shared her tips to a living a long life, putting it down to ‘healthy food, with the occasional chocolate treat and a glass of Sherry.’ 

The happy occasion was celebrated at Cliftonville Care Home with cake, cards and gifts

The happy occasion was celebrated at Cliftonville Care Home with cake, cards and gifts

Lucie Bagnall, Deputy Manager at Cliftonville Care Home said: ‘Dorothy and Eric have been with us since 2018, they are both huge characters and are an absolute pleasure to care for.

‘We feel very honoured to have been able to share their very special day.’   

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