Exeter care home resident celebrates 103rd birthday

An Exeter care home resident who beat Covid, has celebrated her 103rdbirthday.

Muriel Dunford, who lives at The Old Rectory, contracted the virus in January 2021, but remained asymptomatic.

To mark the occasion, family and friends of Muriel’s attended a tea party at the home.

Rachel Fullard-Bell, Home Administrator at the Old Rectory says: “What an achievement to get to 103! Muriel is an inspiration to us all, especially after seeing off Covid last year. She is loved by everyone here – the staff, residents and visitors. Without a doubt, she always manages to put a smile on someone’s face.”

Muriel was born in Cornwall and later moved to Templeton in mid Devon, starting work on the family farm at the age of 14. In the 1940’s, the family settled in Nadderwater, near Exeter.

A decade later, Muriel became landlady of an historic small hotel at Red Ball, near Wellington, Somerset, where she won an award for being the ‘friendliest landlady of the year.’

The hotel catered mainly for summer tourists and in the quieter months, Muriel pursued her hobbies of flower arranging, dress making and cake decorating.

After selling the hotel in 1973, Muriel married Claude, a retired farmer, and the couple retired to Rockbeare. Claude passed away in the 1990s and Muriel continued to live independently, enjoying regular holidays by the sea.

She has been a resident of the Old Rectory for the past four years.