Diana Camfield cut her birthday cake with the help of Mary Stokes, Executive Director of Hampton Court, in Southampton March 30 when she celebrated her 100th birthday.
Hub Staff
On March 30, Hampton Court resident Diana Camfield was joined by friends and family spanning four generations to celebrate her 100 years of life. Camfield was born and raised in Southampton, England where she lived through most of World War 2 and eventually emigrated to Canada in 1947 with her family, including daughter Hilary Hall, who organized the party.
Hall arranged for singing sensation, Jones & Jones, to entertain guests. Sisters Gladys and Veronica Jones ignored the snow that fell outside and opened their set with a song of tulips in the spring which quickly had the party in full swing. The duo sang Camfield back to her childhood, performing a selection of tunes from her youth. “You were sixteen, my village queen, by the old mill stream.”
Camfield was full of wit, never missing an opportunity for a joke, and took a bow after the crowd accompanied Jones & Jones in their rendition of "Happy Birthday".
“If you can’t laugh, you might as well be dead," exclaimed the centenarian.
Camfield has spent almost six years at Hampton Court and showed a great deal of love and appreciation to the staff. “I think that Mary, the superintendent, has a real gift for employing staff because everyone is so very nice, so helpful and friendly," remarked Camfield. “I can’t speak too highly of them, I really can’t," she said.
When asked about her greatest accomplishment, Camfield confidently replied, "My family." She is grandmother to 11 grandchildren, 13 great grandchildren and 5 great great grandchildren.
Among the many birthday greetings from party guests, Camfield’s 100 years were acknowledged through written letters from Governor General of Canada Julie Payette, Ontario Premier Doug Ford and Queen Elizabeth. Saugeen Shores Mayor Luke Charbonneau and Councillor Cheryl Grace delivered their well wishes in person.
Diana Camfield's daughter Hilary Hall (left) and granddaughter Chris Miller (right) helped the centenarian celebrate March 30 in Southampton.
Sisters Gladys and Veronica Jones of the Jones & Jones singing duo, entertained the crowd at Hampton Court Retirement Home, March 30 in honour of resident Camfield's 100th birthday.
Camfield, along with friends and family, enjoyed the live entertainment in honour of her 100th birthday.
Saugeen Shores Mayor Luke Charbonneau came to deliver birthday wishes to Diana in person March 30 at Hampton Court.
