The oldest person in Wales, Mary Keir, has died at the age of 112. Mary celebrated her monumental birthday in March this year with her family at Awel Tywi Residential Home in Llandeilo in Carmarthenshire, where she had been living for the last 12 years after moving in just before her 100th birthday.
Up until her death she was the oldest living person in Wales and was just two years younger than the oldest in the UK. Before moving into the residential home the former ward sister and district nurse had lived independently in Llansteffan. For years, Mrs Keir was a ward sister at Llandough Hospital outside Cardiff, working as a nurse before, during and after the Second World War.
According to staff at Awel Tywi Residential Home, Mary was still actively involved in life, taking part in activities, entertainment and meetings as well as helping other residents. Her family described her as an individual with “great will and determination”. She was a keen lover of music, in particular the piano, which was one of her lifelong passions. For the latest Carmarthenshire news, sign up to our newsletter here.
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Independent Councillor Edward Thomas for Llandeilo and Dyffryn Cennen paid a heartfelt tribute to Mary. In a Facebook post on Wednesday evening, December 18, he wrote: “I was saddened to hear that Mrs Mary Keir the oldest person in Wales and a resident of Aweltwyi passed away yesterday at age 112. I have known Mary since 2012 when she was just 100.
“I found her to be such an interesting person, young at heart, interested in everything. She loved her music and was very knowledgeable. Her life had been based in Llansteffan but had lived at Aweltwyi for number of years cared wonderfully by our excellent team @ Aweltwyi. My sympathies to her son and his wife and all her family. A lovely lady who will be missed by all who know her – RIP Mary”.