Pals for more than 70 years maintain ‘beautiful’ friendship in care home

By Athena Stavrou via SWNS

Two women who have been pals for more than 70 years have maintained their "beautiful" friendship - after moving into the same care home.

Doreen Harris, 94, and Gwyneth Thomas, 97, first met 72 years ago - going to the theatre and running Girl Guides and Cub groups of the Women's Institute.

They now spend their days enjoying meals and activities together whilst reminiscing about all their shared experiences.

They're now both residing 'just down the corridor from each other' at Bridge House Care Home, in Abingdon, UK.

Doreen said: "It’s very comforting having such a good friend living here with me.

''We live just down the corridor from each other and meet up in the bistro for breakfast most mornings

"Gwyneth was really enjoying living here which made me think it could be a good option for me as well.

"Running a house is challenging at our age and so I decided to move in as well.

"We really enjoy taking part in activities together and like to encourage each other to try out all the things that are available here.

"We enjoy going on trips together like we always have and try to eat together as much as possible.”

Doreen’s late husband Ron was best friends with Gwyneth’s brother John and was also Ron’s best man at the couple’s wedding.

They were in the WI in London, UK, together where they both lived at the time and went to shows, musicals and local theatre, as well as running camping trips for local Girl Guides and Cub groups.

Gwyneth and Doreen also enjoyed taking holidays together and have traveled all over the UK and Europe as well as taking a number of cruises.

The pair have supported each other throughout their lives and when Ron passed away, Gwyneth would take Doreen out on shopping trips.

Doreen said: "Gwyneth’s niece Kay is good to both of us and she often brings in a nice cake for both of us.

''We have lots of family connections because we have spent so much time together.

"We love to sit and talk about all the things we’ve done together, all the places we’ve been and share funny stories and memories about them.

"We have been friends most of our lives and just always had each other around so we are glad to be here together.

''Having someone you have shared so much of your life with is so comforting and familiar."

Care home manager Marta Leszko, said: "Their friendship is beautiful and to see the way they support each other and spend so much time together warms our hearts.

"We are so happy that we have been able to provide them with an environment where they can keep enjoying their lives together and continue their lifelong friendship.

"We have always supported them in meeting up and eating together because we know how important their friendship is.

"They are a great encouragement to each other by taking part in activities and Doreen often checks in on Gywneth in the mornings before meeting her for breakfast.

"They are both so considerate of one another and they can always be heard having a laugh and a joke or sharing a story or memory together.

"Doreen and Gwyneth don’t see anything unique in their friendship because they have always been friends, but all the team here can see that they have such a special friendship."