UK Cypriot Eleni Yiannacou celebrates her 100th birthday

Eleni Yiannacou celebrated her 100th birthday party at Autumn Gardens Care home in Enfield on Monday August the 20th 2018 in vibrant and pleasant surroundings the party was a close family affair with her children, Grandchildren and Great Grandchildren and their husbands and wives.

Eleni Yiannacou was born in Larnaca Cyprus on August the 20th 2018 her parents Stelios and Maria Neokli. At the age of 18 she got engaged to Nicholas Yiannakou who left her for one year to seek and see if it was  better life in London and she joined him one year later.

They married in 1938 and lived in Camden Town where their first daughter Andrigoulla was born.

In 1939 when the second world war broke out her husband Nicholas joined the army for 6 years in 1943 their second daughter Marina was born. In those six war time years Eleni had a difficult time bring up her six children mainly on her own especially with her english limited she worked as a machinist.

However through her hard work she managed to save enough money for her husband to open a restaurant when the war ended.

In 1949 she brought her parents to live here in the UK also that year Eleni and Nicholas had managed to save enough to buy to their first house in Holloway. Nicholas then opened his first barber shop in Highbury and Eleni worked at home as a machinist.

Eleni a very strong woman has been able to keep her large family together and is at her happiest when she is surrounded by her family as well as the two daughters she has four grand children and eight great grandchildren.

Even at a 100 years old she has a great sense of humour. Eleni’s memory is still sharp and her mind is incredibly alert. She loves sharing her life stories which her family listening to.

Her husband Nicholas sadly passed away in 2011 aged 96 . Eleni then lived alone until this current year where unfortunately due to a fall, is now unable to walk and live in her own home.

She is now a resident in Autumn Gardens where she enjoyed celebrating her 100th birthday with her family and was delighted and honoured to receive a special birthday card from the Queen.

Eleni and her family would like to thank all the staff at Autumn Gardens for their support and hard work.