Today they are both marking an incredible century of life.
On April 30, 2020, Tom Moore, the veteran whose fundraising walk for the NHS has captured the heart of the nation and raised over £28m for NHS charities, will turn 100.
Captain Tom Moore was made an honorary Colonel this week in recognition of his remarkable efforts.
And his birthday is shared by a "remarkable" Northumberland great-grandmother, who has shared her best wishes to Capt Moore for their special day.
Ashington-born Jean Strother won't be able to enjoy the party her family had planned for her 100th birthday due because of the lockdown.
Instead of celebrating with her daughter, two grandchildren, four great-grandchildren, and family who'd planned a trip from Australia for the occasion, she'll mark the day as best she can will staff and fellow residents at Wansbeck Care Home.
Jean, or 'Big Gran' as she's known to her great-grandchildren, moved into the home at the age of 99. Although she's no longer so mobile, she had been dancing right up to the age of 96, and attending social events at the Ellington Institute right up until the move.
Daughter Jean Coulson, 69, said: "She's remarkable. She's incredible for her age - I was speaking to her the other day and she said 'who would have thought I would make it to this age - it's because I've had a good life, with no worries'.
"She's a very laid back person who has taken everything in her stride - even though she nursed her own parents, and my dad, she doesn't let things get her down. Even going into the care home, I know deep down she didn't really want to but she knew it was for the best and she did it."
Jean, who worked in Anderson's Pork Butcher's until she retired, and was married for 58 years to husband George, was "very impressed" by Col Moore's fundraising efforts, and recorded a special video message for him with the help of care home staff.
Sharing the message on Facebook, the care home team added that Jean said the veteran was "more than welcome" to join the party she's planning after lockdown ends.
His fundraising efforts for the NHS are especially important to Jean, as her grandson David is a frontline hospital worker, working as the director of pharmacy for the NHS trust in Tayside, Scotland, and she worries for him and his colleagues at this difficult time.
Loved ones say they're devastated not to be able to celebrate with the great-grandmother, but hope to see her for renewed celebrations when lockdown ends.
Daughter Jean said: "It's really devastating - half of me is thrilled she's reached this milestone but the other half is sad, we had so much planned for her birthday, and now I will be lucky if I get to see her through the window.
"But she takes everything in her stride, she's always enjoyed herself, enjoyed her life, she's always the life and soul of the party."
