Thrill-seeker Jessie celebrates 100th birthday at Belong Macclesfield

Jessie Hopwood, who surprised her family at the age of 80 by learning to paraglide on holiday in Tunisia despite a lifelong fear of heights, recently celebrated her 100th birthday, at Belong Macclesfield, on Kennedy Avenue.
Jessie and her family moved to Tytherington in 1971, where she stayed for 42 years before moving to Belong Macclesfield in August. During this period Jessie travelled extensively with her husband, and continued to travel with friends after he passed away, which was when she decided to try paragliding.
Born Jessie Cooke in Stalybridge in 1913, she moved to Southport when she was seven years old and stayed there for seven years before returning to Stalybridge. As a young lady Jessie enjoyed sports like ice-skating, tennis and particularly ballroom dancing, and worked as a teacher in Manchester. She married in 1940, and took over her mother's business selling clothes for women and children in Stalybridge Market, and a shop on Melbourne Street, after the birth of her daughter, Ann.
For her birthday, Jessie received a centenary letter from the Queen, which she looks forward to showing to her two granddaughters and five great grandchildren.
When asked what the secret was to long life, Jessie confided: "No smoking, no drinking, a happy marriage and children."
Belong Macclesfield General Manager, Caroline Ray, said: “We were delighted that Jessie joined us just in time for her 100th birthday. Moving to Belong has been a big change for her, but Jessie is settling in and we hope to help her celebrate many more birthdays."
(Photo courtesy of The Macclesfield Express)