“Sergeant Major” Care Home Stalwart Celebrates 70th Birthday After 35 Years of Devoted Service
A housekeeping manager affectionately dubbed “sergeant major” has celebrated her 70th birthday after more than three decades of service at a care organisation.
Pendine Park, which has care homes in Wrexham and Caernarfon, held a party to honour Sheila George, its longest-serving employee as colleagues paid tribute to her 35 years of commitment and unwavering high standards.
The popular staff member, known for her tireless work ethic, was praised as a cornerstone of the award-winning organisation.
Despite reaching the landmark birthday, Sheila shows no sign of slowing down.
The grandmother-of-three shows remains passionate about her role and says she “would be lost without it”, continuing to play a vital part in daily life across the homes.
Her commitment has earned widespread respect among colleagues who credit her professionalism, warmth and high standards as key to maintaining the quality of care residents rely on every day.
It also reflects Sheila’s three years army service in her younger years, including time served in Germany where she met her husband Tom.
She said: “It’s incredible. I grew up in Wrexham and Tom was raised in Denbigh but we had to go all the way to Germany to meet each other.”
When first discharged from the Army they lived in Rochester, Kent, for some years before returning to Wrexham area to be nearer to Sheila’s elderly parents.
The couple settled in Gwersyllt and have two grown up children, Kelly and Dean, and three grandchildren, Catrin, Jacob and Grace.
Sheila heads up the housekeeping and laundry operations for all Pendine’s Wrexham homes, plus Bryn Seiont Newydd, Pendine’s award-winning dementia care centre in Caernarfon.
She said: “It is vastly different from when I first started here but it has changed in a good way. We are bigger but the emphasis on cleanliness and high standards are more important than ever.
“The welfare of our residents is at the heart of everything we do and that should always be the case. This is their home and they deserve the best we can offer.”
Sheila’s dedication and wealth of experience make her a great mentor for newcomers to the care sector, according to Pendine Park owner Mario Kreft MBE.
He and his wife Gill attended an afternoon tea party along with the managers of all the homes in Wrexham, who wanted to share in Sheila’s birthday celebrations.
Mario said: “From the very early days when she first joined us, Sheila’s commitment to each task in hand was evident. She leads from the front and does not ask anyone one to undertake anything should would not be prepared to do herself.
“She is rightly a stickler for cleanliness – I think that’s why we first started nicknaming her the sergeant major, because she is so thorough and if something needs doing she will ensure it’s done right.
“She is an outstanding role model and a compassionate and caring exemplar for all in her team who look up to her with genuine affection.
“We are proud to have Sheila in our Pendine family.”
Fellow staff joined the party where Sheila was presented with a colourful bouquet and a special birthday cake designed in the shape of balls of wool and knitting needles to reflect her spare time hobbies of knitting and sewing. She also enjoys doing crosswords and spending time with her family.
Sheila said: “I am not used to being centre of attention. It all seems a lot of fuss just for me, but it was a lovely surprise. I want to thank everyone for going to such an effort to make this a special day.”
