Constance 100 not out!

23 Nov 2006

The oldest surviving Church Army sister in the Bath area, Constance Howell, has celebrated her 100th birthday this month with two parties. The first was on 10 November when Constance received a visit from Neil Biles, Church Army's Director of Fresh Expressions, who traveled from Sidcup, Kent to celebrate with her.

The bigger party then took place on Saturday 11 November; when Constance was joined by friends, family, and staff of the Woodland Grove retirement home (where she lives) to help her celebrate reaching the grand old age of 100. Constance who retired on 1st August 1973, moved to the retirement home about six years ago where she spends her time playing piano, knitting and reading.

Born 10 November 1906, Constance was brought up in a close-knit family in South London and had two brothers. The younger, Kenneth Howell, became a bishop after spending time as a missionary in South America. Constance trained with Church Army and was commissioned as an evangelist in 1932. She took a five year leave of absence to look after her mother and returned to work in 1962 before retiring as a mission sister in 1973.

Peggy Boynes, a Church Army evangelist who visits with Constance regularly, says "One of her happiest memories is working in Bath. She would cycle down to the Royal Crescent to visit those grand houses but propping her bicycle against the railings she would go down the area steps to see those who worked below stairs. This concern for the less well off was particularly expressed when she was seconded to the Bermondsey Medical Mission which was to be her last piece of stipendiary work. There are a host of wonderful stories about outings and events which she organised to brighten the lives of the ladies of the east end. Some affluent and privileged ladies occasionally invited Sister Howell's ladies to afternoon tea. Apparently they would return home not only with gifts of groceries but with cast off hats which must have brightened up Bermondsey.

"Because of her active life, Sister Howell has struggled with her lack of mobility in later years. She is no longer the visitor but the one who is visited. The visitors to the residential home where she now lives are greatly valued. Her brother's children and grandchildren are spread around the world but they visit when they can and are prayerfully remembered by a loving aunt. The visits that give particular pleasure are those of schoolgirls from a local independent school. Some have kept in touch from university and Sister Howell faithfully prays for them. One has written to say she has been to an Alpha course which has had a great impact and along with the angels in heaven there is great rejoicing at a residential home in Bath."