Brixham-born woman defies the odds to celebrate her extraordinary 80th birthday

A Brixham-born woman believed to be one of the oldest people in the world to have Down Syndrome has celebrated her 80th birthday, marking a remarkable milestone few thought possible.

Elizabeth Eastley was born in 1945, one of six siblings, and doctors warned she would be unlikely to live beyond her mid-twenties. But she has continued to exceed every expectation, celebrating her 80th with a joyous party surrounded by family, friends and fellow members of the Holler Choir.

Elizabeth spent her early childhood in a small village near Brixham. But at the age of five - as other children were preparing to start school - she was moved to a children’s care institution in Bristol, where she remained throughout her childhood.

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Her family visited as often as they could, but the journey was long and complicated.Brother Brian said: “When Elizabeth was young she lived with us at home.

“She was our little sister, we just took care of her.

“We were no different to any other family.

“When she moved, mum and dad visited as often as they could, but without a car it was a huge journey and I remember them leaving the house very early and returning late into the night.”

As an adult, Elizabeth moved through several care settings before settling in Exeter. There she met Betty Howard, who later secured her own house and invited Elizabeth and two other women to live with her. It proved life-changing.

“She had the most wonderful life living with Betty,” said Brian.

“She loved her holidays and getting out and about and she loved singing and dancing.

“She would go to the local disco and be the last one standing, refusing to leave until the DJ had packed up his stuff.

“And she was always up early, ready to collect the milk off the milkman and tell him off if she thought he was late.”

Elizabeth embraced hobbies including arts and crafts, especially making pom poms, and she adored regular visits to the beauty salon - a treat she still treasures today. 

When Brian and his wife Eve moved to Exeter in 1981, it meant the siblings could spend far more time together, with Elizabeth a frequent visitor for tea.

Twelve years ago, while still living with Betty, Elizabeth suffered her first stroke. She recovered with Betty’s support, but a second stroke followed shortly after. When Betty’s circumstances changed, Elizabeth entered respite care and eventually moved to a residential service in Bampton operated by the learning disability charity Hft.

“She settled in so well,” said Eve. “It was like a home from home for her and she was so happy there, she stayed.”

Elizabeth, now a wheelchair user and with speech affected by her strokes, moved permanently to Bampton in 2019. With person-centred support from the team, her communication improved and she regained more independence, joining conversations and expressing her preferences with confidence.

Today she lives a full and active life, attending a weekly choir and coffee mornings at the local church. She enjoys regular outings with Brian and Eve, who take her shopping and to garden centres. One of her favourite treats is Jelly Babies - which the team soften for her so she can continue to enjoy them. The couple also send her fresh flowers every month.

“Elizabeth is very happy living in Bampton,” said Brian. “It is her home. When we take her back after a day out we feel happy when we leave there, knowing she is well supported, loved and looked after.”

Her milestone birthday was marked with singing alongside the Holler Choir and a party tea.“We didn’t put 80 candles on the cake,” Brian joked. “That may have been a fire hazard.

“The party was fabulous and Elizabeth enjoyed every minute.

“When we look back now, it’s hard to believe that initially it was thought that Elizabeth would not live past her twenties.

“But with good care, support and lots of love, she has enjoyed a long, happy and fulfilling life - and that’s all, as her family, we could have ever wished for.”

Down Syndrome is caused by an extra copy of chromosome 21 and historically came with a significantly reduced life expectancy. Although the average lifespan remains between 50 and 60, improvements in care and support mean that many people with Down Syndrome are now living longer, healthier and more independent lives than ever before - with Elizabeth’s remarkable 80 years standing as a powerful testament to that change.