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Best Friends Who Have Been Inseparable For Almost 80 Years Move Into Same Care Home

Best Friends Who Have Been Inseparable For Almost 80 Years Move Into Same Care Home

The pair spend all their time together causing 'mischief' and say the secret to their long friendship is never arguing

Jess Hardiman

Jess Hardiman

Two elderly best mates were so hell-bent on staying together after almost 80 years of friendship they moved into the same care home. Now that really is #goals.

Olive Woodward and Kathleen Saville, both 89, have been inseparable ever since they first met at school - back when they were 11 and lived down the road from each other.

Their husbands both worked at the Coal Board and, get this: they also lived on the same road in Mansfield, Nottinghamshire, all their lives.

Kathleen, who lost her husband Leonard in 1989 after a 35-year marriage, moved into Berry Hill Park care home in Mansfield last year.

Olive, meanwhile, lost her husband Roy back in 2004, and has been living on her own ever since his death - until now, that is, as she's decided to join her pal in the care home and even has a room down the hall.

SWNS

The pair now spend all their time together causing 'mischief', and say the secret to their long friendship is never arguing.

Kathleen, who worked as a supervisor at Mansfield Telephone Exchange, said: "We are 89 but we look 63. We have been good friends and never fallen out.

"We are still good looking. We have never argued over anything. She's a good friend.

"We don't cause any trouble in the home, but we sometimes have to knock the staff into shape.

"I just raced one of the managers down the hallway for a laugh.

"I'm so glad Olive is here now, we're like giggling school girls and we still put on our
lippy and get dressed up.

"We always say to each other 'if you've got it, flaunt it."

The two met when they both sat next to each other at Ravenshead School in Nottingham, back in 1941.

SWNS

Kathleen married Leonard in 1954, while Olive got hitched to Roy two years later and went on to have two daughters, five grandchildren and four great-grandchildren.

Now, some eight decades after their friendship started, Kathleen and Olive are two of the oldest residents at their care home.

Kathleen, who does not have children, added: "I just knew we would always be friends when I met Olive.

"She means a lot to me.

"We've stayed friends by telling each other what we think and never arguing.

"If Olive goes first she'll come back to fetch me. We're going to be friends in heaven."

Olive, who worked as a typist, moved into a room opposite Kathleen in the 66-room complex last month.

She said of her good friend: "She is jolly and a good laugh and we don't argue.

"We are still capable of looking after ourselves and each other.

"We lived around the corner from each other all our lives so living down the hall seemed an obvious thing to do.

"I feel very lucky to have my best friend down the hall. We've built many memories together and we're making more every day.

"When Kathleen moved into the home I missed her and I used to go and see her every Saturday for lunch. Then I thought, why don't I move in too?

"If I'm unhappy or in trouble I only have to go to Kathleen and we'll always end up laughing."

SWNS

Staff at the care home seem to be big fans of the dynamic duo, with manager Sally Tebbett saying: "The sparkle is still there. They are full of mischief.

"Kathleen is a proper flirt and has her lippy on every day. She says 'If you have got it, flaunt it.'

"Olive is a bit more reserved but they egg each other on.

"We always love to see friendships blossoming amongst residents, so it was even more
special that our care home reunited such dear friends.

"They never stop chatting and giggling. It's so endearing, they genuinely love each other and you can see that.

"Since they have been reunited, Kathleen and Olive have been inseparable, causing just as much mischief in the home as they used to when they became friends 78 years ago."

Truly, truly inspirational. Here's to you, Kathleen and Olive!

Featured Image Credit: SWNS

Topics: uk news, News