SHE’S 100 up and almost 35,000 crosswords down – and there’s still no stopping puzzle fanatic Phyllis Mooney.
Despite preparing to celebrate her centenary year, the former secretary is determined to keep up the habit of a lifetime – by completing one crossword puzzle a day.
Phyllis – who lives in Abbeyfield’s Downing nursing home in Withington – has been doing crosswords all of her life after she caught the bug from her father, who would complete the Manchester Evening News’ crossword every evening.
Phyllis has now notched up the grand total of more than 34,675 completed crosswords.
Phyllis – who turns 100 on Sunday, July 27 – said: "I have been doing crosswords for as long as I can remember. My dad would sit there every evening at home doing them and I would sit on his knee helping him.
"That started when I was about five and I’ve carried on ever since.
"My dad continued to do crosswords right up until he died, when he was 78.
"I love doing them, although it is getting a bit trickier these days as my sight’s going. But I’ve got a magnifying glass and I use that to help me see the clues and the crossword grid."
Phyllis has even had a series of lights specially set up for her around her chair at the nursing home, which is on Swinbourne Grove, so that they shine directly on to her puzzle book – helping her see better. And when quizzed about the secret of her long life, there isn’t a moment’s hesitation from Phyllis – it’s thanks to the crosswords!
She said: "Although I’m getting on a bit, I’m still with it, and that’s down to my crosswords. They help to keep me sharp and they also keep my mind active.
"My daughter comes to visit me every day, so even though I have a few problems with my sight I can still carry on doing them as she reads out the clues to me."
Phyllis was born in Chorlton and lived with her mother and father, first on Newport Road and then on Cranbourne Road.
She married her husband, John, in 1937 and remained living in Chorlton.
She has one daughter, Barbara, a grand-daughter, Catherine Rachel and a grandson Steven David. Following her retirement Phyllis volunteered for the WRVS at Withington Hospital for 17 years.
Debbie McCormick, home manager at Downing House, said: "Phyllis is as bright as a button. No-one can believe that she has been doing crosswords for so long. But she loves doing them and won’t take help from anybody here.
"She likes to sit in her chair, with her magnifying glass and complete them herself."
Phyllis will celebrate her 100th birthday surrounded by family and friends at a special party at the United Reformed Church hall on Wilbraham Road.
She will then be treated to more celebrations at Downing Home with another birthday party and a visit from the Mayor.
