Marjorie enjoys special seaside day out as four generations come together

Four generations of one family enjoyed a special day beside the seaside when 104-year-old Marjorie Seaman took a trip to Hastings.

Marjorie Seaman, who is the oldest resident at our Care Home in Erith, enjoyed a trip to the coast with her daughter, granddaughter and great-granddaughter, organised by our home’s lifestyle lead.

The family spent time by the sea, tucked into traditional fish and chips and visited the aquarium, where Marjorie was fascinated by the colourful marine life.

Marjorie attended daycare at Heathfield Court before making it her home in March last year. Seaside trips have long held happy memories for Marjorie, who was married to her late husband Albert for 75 years.

Linda, Marjorie’s daughter explained: “Once Mum and Dad retired, they would often head out for weekend trips to the coast. Southend was the closest for them as they lived in East London at the time, but they would visit different beaches around Kent and Sussex too, including Hastings.

“If they fancied a trip to the seaside they would pack up the car and go, whatever the weather, so it wasn’t unheard of for them to be sat on the beach in their coats with a windbreak around them eating their fish and chips on a cold and windy day!”

The Hastings trip was made particularly special by the presence of Marjorie’s 15-year-old great-granddaughter April. Although April spends time with her great-grandmother, it was the first time the pair had enjoyed a proper day out together.

The two shared a particularly special moment at the aquarium, with April pointing out the different fish to Marjorie as they explored.

Marjorie was amazed by the aquarium and repeatedly remarked on how wonderful it was to be able to see creatures she would otherwise never have the opportunity to encounter.

She particularly enjoyed the brightly coloured tropical fish, which she had never seen before, and was treated to a special display from an octopus which slid across the tank directly in front of her as she sat beside the glass.

Marjorie said: “I’ve had such a lovely day. It’s amazing that we can get so many of these things here for us to see because we’d never get the chance to see them otherwise.”

For Linda, having four generations together for the day made it especially meaningful.

She said: “It was such a memorable day. It’s something I wouldn’t have been able to organise and do with Mum myself, so we’re incredibly grateful to Hannah and everyone at Heathfield Court for making it possible.

“It was particularly special for April to have her first proper day out with her great-grandmother.”

Hannah Tribe, lifestyle lead at Heathfield Court, said: “It was wonderful to see Marjorie enjoying a day at the seaside surrounded by her family.

“Days out like this are about so much more than simply going somewhere different. They give our residents the opportunity to revisit happy memories while continuing to have new experiences and make new memories with the people they love.

“Bringing four generations of the family together made this trip incredibly special, and seeing Marjorie and April enjoying the aquarium together was a lovely moment.”

Heathfield Court is located on Colyers Lane in Erith, the care home provides residential, nursing and dementia care. Heathfield Court is rated ‘Good’ by the Care Quality Commission (CQC). The dedicated activities team offers a varied programme tailored to residents’ hobbies, interests and abilities, with access to a minibus for days out and trips to nearby places of interest.