Max Factor 'girl' looking good at 100!

When she was younger, Mrs Edna Millard worked as a demonstrator for the Max Factor cosmetics company.

Looking at her this week, as she celebrated her 100th birthday at home in Budleigh Salterton, you could be forgiven for wondering if she should be the face of Max Factor 2015!

Mrs Millard has been a tenant in Moorhaven for just under 25 years and is one of many people who enjoy the comfort of these manageable council-owned homes, fitted with a Home Safeguard alarm system in case of emergency.

On Monday, Mrs Millard followed up a weekend of celebrations with family and friends with a visit from some of the people who help to keep her comfortable living in her own home.

A sprightly 100-year-old, Mrs Millard insisted on standing up for the main photo of her with flowers from Councillor Jill Elson and Support Services Manager Amy Gilbert.

She puts her longevity down to “never smoking, drinking only on birthdays and Christmas Day, and eating sensibly”. She also enjoys regular outings with her daughter and son-in-law.

While the party from east Devon District Council were at the cosy bungalow on Monday, there was a very special postal delivery – a congratulations card from Her Majesty the Queen.

One of the many other cards from friends and family listed some key facts from 1915, the year that widower Mrs Millard was born, while World War One was in its early stages.

This included the cost of petrol – just over two shillings a gallon (or 2.5p per litre), a pair of ladies’ shoes 29p and a pint of milk 1p. Notable events apart from the first Zeppelin raids and submarine attacks were the introduction of passport photos, the launch of the Women’s Institute and the invention of Pyrex.

Mrs Millard may come from an historic era, but she has happily grasped new technology and enjoys a session of virtual bowling on the wii system provided at the council’s sheltered housing centres.

Councillor Elson, cabinet member for sustainable homes and communities, said: “Mrs Millard is an amazing woman – so active and alert that you would never guess her age. I am delighted that she and people like her are still able to enjoy independent living in their own homes, under our sheltered housing policy, which provides support where it’s need but allows people to continue living their own lives.

“Edna is an inspiration to all of us and I wish her many more years of enjoying life in Budleigh and trips to Dartmoor with her family. If Max Factor had a model to represent the 100-year-old woman of 2015, she would be IT!”.