Dennistoun great-granny shares her advice for life as she celebrates 100th birthday

A Dennistoun-born great-granny who has celebrated her 100th birthday has said the secret to her longevity is kindness, never smoking and rarely drinking.

A Glasgow care home resident who worked as a telephonist for the General Post Office has celebrated her 100th birthday surrounded by four generations of her family.

Mary McMillan McLean, who was born in Glasgow in 1926 and grew up in Dennistoun, marked the milestone at Silverline Care’s Baillieston Care Home surrounded by four generations of her family. Mary’s children, grandchildren and great-grandchildren all joined her to celebrate reaching her 100th birthday.

Mary has seen some of the biggest events and technological developments during her lifetime, but said that the most amazing invention or technological change, she chose television, saying it gives people information and makes them happy. She also remembers the end of the Second World War particularly vividly, having lived through the historic event herself.

placeholder image — Mary worked as a telephonist for the General Post Office (GPO) | Supplied

And it was after the war that Mary worked as a telephonist for the General Post Office (GPO), having trained at George Square. Before becoming a telephonist, she also worked in a factory. From her career as a GPO telephonist to witnessing some of the biggest events and technological developments of the last century, Mary has seen the world transform around her.

She puts her longevity down to her lifestyle, saying she has never smoked and only drank alcohol occasionally. She also believes that kindness is one of the most important lessons life has taught her, saying people should always be nice to others and be kind. Her own advice for younger generations is equally straightforward: “Don’t smoke and don’t drink.”

Having spent her entire life in Glasgow, Mary has seen significant changes to her local community, with housing among the biggest changes she has noticed. But while she has witnessed a century of social and technological change, it is her family that remains one of her greatest sources of pride. Mary counts having her three children and two stepsons among her proudest life achievements.

Mary’s 100th birthday celebrations brought her entire family together, including her children, grandchildren and great-grandchildren. She continues to enjoy watching television and meeting up with friends and family, with spending time with those closest to her remaining an important part of her life.

Karen Hall, Home Manager at Baillieston Care Home, said: “Reaching 100 is such a wonderful milestone and it has been a real pleasure to celebrate this special occasion with Mary and her family.

“Mary has lived through so much change over the past century, from her working life as a GPO telephonist to seeing the world transform around her, but it is clear that family remains at the heart of her life.

“It was lovely to see her surrounded by her children, grandchildren and great-grandchildren as she celebrated her 100th birthday, and we are delighted to have been part of such a special moment and to help Mary mark this truly remarkable milestone.”