Portsmouth centenarian 'gobsmacked' by surprise '25th' birthday party on leap year

A very special surprise party has been held for a 100-year-old born on a leap year, as she celebrates her ‘25th birthday.’
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Doris Cleife, who was born on February 29 1920, was ‘gobsmacked’ to find more than 30 residents from her assisted living apartment block had thrown a surprise birthday party for her today.

Brought to tears by the gesture, she said: ‘I am gobsmacked.

‘I really am surprised and grateful.

Doris Cleife celebrating with all her friends at Brunel Court.

Picture: Habibur RahmanDoris Cleife celebrating with all her friends at Brunel Court.

Picture: Habibur Rahman
Doris Cleife celebrating with all her friends at Brunel Court. Picture: Habibur Rahman

‘I would like to say thank you to everybody for coming.

‘I didn’t know I was so popular.’

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And it was the first time the centenarian has had a surprise party thrown in her honour.

She said: ‘I’ve waited 100 years for a surprise party – and it’s been worth the wait.’

Doris Cleife celebrating her birthday.

Picture: Habibur RahmanDoris Cleife celebrating her birthday.

Picture: Habibur Rahman
Doris Cleife celebrating her birthday. Picture: Habibur Rahman

The great-great grandmother was accompanied by her grandson David Bowen, who said the surprise was ‘a bit of a gamble.’

He said: ‘She only gets a birthday-do every four years, so we had to make it a big event out of it.

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‘But it’s a bit of a gamble giving a big surprise to a 99 year old.’

Portsmouth’s Lord Mayor David Fuller presented the birthday girl with a selection of biscuits and chocolates.

Doris Cleife with her grandson, David Bowen, is surprised to see her all her friends waiting for her in the lounge of Brunel Court.

Picture: Habibur RahmanDoris Cleife with her grandson, David Bowen, is surprised to see her all her friends waiting for her in the lounge of Brunel Court.

Picture: Habibur Rahman
Doris Cleife with her grandson, David Bowen, is surprised to see her all her friends waiting for her in the lounge of Brunel Court. Picture: Habibur Rahman
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Doris moved into a flat in Brunel Court, Nutfield Place, on December 23 – and sees her living less than a mile from Fratton Road, the site of her childhood home.

Having bought a large sponge cake and balloons wishing Doris a happy 25th birthday, Katrina Morgan, housing manager at the assisted living accommodation, said keeping the party secret had been ‘hard work.’

She said: ‘The last two weeks have been a lot of work.

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‘It’s lovely to see Doris see her 100th birthday – no one else here is 100.

‘With it being a leap year, it’s extra special.’

Doris, who worked as an electrician in a de Havilland airplane factory in Portsmouth during the Second World War, will celebrate her birthday with her two grandchildren, three great grandchildren, and two great-great grandchildren tomorrow.

She said: ‘They say the good die young – so I don’t know what that means.

‘You have to keep your sense of humour.’

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