AN IRISH great, great grandmother celebrated her 105th birthday yesterday and had some words of wisdom on how she has made it to such an old age.
Belfast woman Emily Desano was born in 1913, a year before World War 1 began.
She was surrounded by family yesterday as she marked her 105th year, including her two-month-old great, great grandson Oliver.
Happy Birthday Emily! Emily Desano from East Belfast, pictured with her great great grandson Oliver, has been celebrating her 105th birthday. pic.twitter.com/T5ODYH8t7B
— David Blevins (@skydavidblevins) March 15, 2018
The inspirational lady took the opportunity to give her advice on how to live a long and happy life.
She told the Belfast Telegraph the secret to her long life: “No drinking, no smoking, and love the Lord. I love the Lord and my children.”
Emily spent most of her life working alongside her late husband Samuel in the family’s ice cream shop.
She met the Italian immigrant at a dance near Millisle, Co. Down aged 18.
Despite a 25 year age gap, Samuel’s marriage proposal was gleefully accepted by a young Emily.
“He wanted to marry me right away but I said to him I wanted to wait for a year, and he said he would wait 10 years for me,” she said.
“We got married at Knock Presbyterian Church when I was 19 and it was the happiest day of my life.
“But my parents didn’t approve of me marrying an Italian, so I sent them to the wrong church!”
During the Second World War Emily and her three children, Eileen, Cecil and Hazel were evacuated to Saintfield, Co. Down.
Granddaughter Janice Fitzsimons revealed that a great moment of foresight from Emily prevented the family from being interned: “They were rounding up all of the Italian families and putting them in prison.
“They were considered to be on the other side and they would have put nanny and Samuel in as well if she hadn’t persuaded Samuel to become a British citizen just before the war. If it wasn’t for her, they would both have ended up in jail.”
As Emily received her second ever birthday card from the Queen, granddaughter Janice described the importance of the celebration: “It’s very special for us all to be here with her to celebrate her 105th birthday, particularly with the great, great grandchildren Ella (2) and little Oliver. She’s a wonderful role model.”
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