104-year-old will celebrate birthday on the street she's lived her whole life

Great-great-grandmother Selma Callaghan is preparing to celebrate her 105th birthday next week, on the street she has lived in all her life.

Selma Callaghan, who had four children, was born in 1915 in the family home and lived there until she was 26.

When it was time to move out on her own, Selma didn't go far and took up residence a few doors down in Chickerell Road in Weymouth, Dorset, where she has stayed for the last 79 years.

Selma has lived alone for the past 40 years after her husband, who was in the Royal Navy, died in 1976 and then her mother in 1980.

For her 100th birthday in 2015, Selma celebrated the milestone with a large party surrounded by her loved ones - but coronavirus restrictions mean her 105th birthday celebrations on October 13 will be more low key.

Her daughter Valerie, 77, said: "She has been very upset about COVID-19. Before the pandemic, I would always take her out to celebrate her birthday, but this year we are a bit too worried to go somewhere.

"My younger sister, Heather, and I will go over to mum's house and spend the day with her instead which will be lovely."

The matriarch of a large family, Selma had four children, two of whom she has outlived, ten grandchildren, six great-grandchildren and four great-great-grandchildren.

Valerie added: "She is completely compos mentis - she's as bright as a button and entirely self-sufficient.

"Heather and I take her to the shops sometimes but if we cannot take her then she will call a taxi and go on her own."

Selma has been the picture of health her whole life and never spent time in hospital. But the impact of coronavirus has seen her health deteriorate.

Valerie added: "She was completely physically healthy up until lockdown but sitting around all day for months on end has not been good for her legs which is such a shame."

Valerie, whose own husband David died in 2018, is thrilled her mum will be celebrating another birthday next week.

She said: "I can't believe she is going to be 105-years-old. It is such an achievement. It has been so lovely having her around, especially when my David died. Having her there was a real source of comfort to me.

"Mum just says, 'keep going and do what you want to do' and eat lots of chocolate. That is what has kept her going all these years."

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