A woman who fled persecution from the Nazis ahead of World War Two and survived the global cornavirus pandemic has reunited with her family on her 107th birthday after more than a year apart.
Vera Levick, who is Jewish and was born in Germany, celebrated her birthday at Andrew Cohen House in Stirchley, BirminghamLive reports.
Among the guests for her special day today were her son John Megitt, 68, and his wife Elayne, who live in Manchester and have not seen her for more than a year.
The reunion was emotional for the trio as John and Elayne had to take Covid tests ahead of the visit and wear full PPE.
Fiercely independent and "hugely competitive", Vera also survived the 1918 influenza outbreak and two World Wars.
Elayne, 67, said: "It's been incredibly difficult not seeing Vera in lockdown - especially for John as he's an only child.
"We live in Manchester and we couldn't travel to Birmingham during the restrictions.
"The home have been brilliant and the care is excellent.
"It's been almost two years since I've seen Vera but I couldn't miss her birthday. You wouldn't believe she is 107 - she is absolutely brilliant for her age."
She has been keeping in touch by WhatsApp messages and Facetime calls.
Until the age of 100, Vera lived independently in Hall Green, but had to move into a care home after a flood at her home.
Vera and her husband Henry, who owned a dental practice in Germany, moved to England before the outbreak of the Second World War.
He was initially held in an interment camp in the Isle of Man as "an enemy of the state" as they were from Germany, despite their Jewish heritage.
The couple married in 1943 on his release and moved to Hendon in North London, where he worked for a dental association.
They moved to Birmingham in 1947, welcoming son John in 1952. Vera's career was spent in book keeping and accountancy along with charitable work at Birmingham's Children Hospital.
She was an active member of the city's Jewish community. "She ate well but not overly well. She didn't smoke very much, she didn't drink a lot. Everything was in moderation," John said.
Sadly, her husband Henry died in 1996.
Andrew Cohen House's spokeswoman said: "Vera is a much-loved member of the Andrew Cohen family and actively takes part in the day-to day activities.
"She is hugely competitive, loves to win anything she takes part in and is always impressive during our exercise classes."
