American U2 fans help Bono send best wishes for Doris

Thousands of U2 music fans cheered for a special Dunmurry grandmother Doris McCleery, who turned 105, on Monday.
Doris McCleery who celebrated her 105th birthday this week at Kingsway care home. Doris was born in London but moved to Northern Ireland before WW2, where she worked as a teacher and married Rev John McCleery, minister at Dunmurry Non-Subscribing Presbyterian Church. US1523-544cd  Picture: Cliff DonaldsonDoris McCleery who celebrated her 105th birthday this week at Kingsway care home. Doris was born in London but moved to Northern Ireland before WW2, where she worked as a teacher and married Rev John McCleery, minister at Dunmurry Non-Subscribing Presbyterian Church. US1523-544cd  Picture: Cliff Donaldson
Doris McCleery who celebrated her 105th birthday this week at Kingsway care home. Doris was born in London but moved to Northern Ireland before WW2, where she worked as a teacher and married Rev John McCleery, minister at Dunmurry Non-Subscribing Presbyterian Church. US1523-544cd Picture: Cliff Donaldson

During a concert in the United States on Sunday, lead singer Bono was requested by Doris’ grandson to mention his grandmother who was celebrating her special birthday the following day.

So Bono asked concert goers to cheer for Doris which they all gladly did.

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It was only one of many of Doris’ highlights of the week. On Monday, a party was held for her at Kingsway Nursing Home in Dunmurry, where she has been a resident for two years.

She received a special card from the Queen and on Monday a party was held in the home.

Her daughter Sheila attended the party as well as other family members. Trevor Dickson played music and she even had a visit from three talented Irish dancers.

It was during the party she told others of the secret for a long and happy life.

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“Just don’t worry about anything you cannot change and stay happy,” she told others,

Doris was born in 1910 - the same year that Mother Teresa was born, George V became King of England and the year that Mark Twain died.

Originally from London, she moved to Northern Ireland in 1936. She married a local minister John McCleery and spent her working life teaching in Belfast.

She was based in Newry for many years and then the family moved to Dunmurry.

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She had two daughters Maureen (deceased) and Sheila. Her husband passed away in the 1960’s and Doris had lived independently for many years and only moved into Kingsway Nursing Home at the age of 103.

It was while there that she rediscovered her love of art.

Doris was interested in art as a child, but as she told others ‘didn’t get much of a chance of doing much until I retired, which was quite a few years ago.”

Ethna Woods of Kingsway said, “She is a very talented artist and woodcarver and many of her pieces take pride of place around Kingsway Home.

“She is a real inspiration who has enhaced the lives of residents and staff here. She is just great an absolute darling,”

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