‘I want to feel like I am still needed’: Hard-working great-grandmother gets a new job at 82 and says she can’t think about retiring despite qualifying for her pension in 1997
- Moira Hepburn has refused to retire and believes active mind keeps her young
- She claims that she doesn’t get tired and can cope with whatever comes her way
- Worked as sheltered housing warden and was older than some in her care
- Landed new role to travel around Edinburgh offering friendship to the elderly
Moira Hepburn (pictured) says she has never felt the need to retire
A workaholic great-grandmother who insists that her refusal to retire has kept her young starts her new job today at the age of 82.
Moira Hepburn reached pensionable age when John Major was still Prime Minister, in 1997, but the energetic grandmother has not even contemplated quitting work.
The talented pianist was a regular sight in Edinburgh in the 1980s when she entertained audiences at the city’s Ross Band Stand during children’s hour.
Since 1987, Moira worked as a warden at a sheltered housing complex and, until last month, at a block of retirement flats in Blackford.
And today she will start a new job, travelling around the city offering companionship to elderly people – after leaving her last post due to the technological demands which she found overwhelming.
Inspiring Moira said: ‘I can’t think about retiring or even thinking about what I can watch on TV.
‘I just want to be out and about feeling like I am still needed. I don’t get tired I just seem to be able to cope with whatever comes my way.
The pianist believes that performing through the years has helped to keep her young. Here she is pictured performing in Edinburgh in 1993
Moira (pictured, left, at her piano and, right, on the phone at work in 1993) says that she wants to feel wanted
‘I think music has a lot to do with keeping one young, maybe it stimulates your brain. I don’t use a walking stick when I walk, I’m quite a smart walker.’
In 1997, Moira could have retired at the age of 61 – but decided to keep working. The great-grandmother-of-six added: ‘It’s just funny because some of the people I was looking after were ten years younger than me and some were even in their sixties walking about with sticks and stuff. It made me realise how lucky I am.’
On her final day on December 28, tearful residents rallied round to bestow upon her bouquets of flowers and farewell gifts.
Moira said: ‘I first became a warden because I was friendly with a lady who lived in sheltered housing.
The talented pianist was a regular sight in Edinburgh – pictured performing in the city in 1976 when she entertained audiences at the city’s Ross Band Stand during children’s hour
Moira (pictured playing her keyboard) says that music helps keep her mind healthy and says she doesn’t get tired working
‘I was always visiting her and she started telling me about a warden’s duties and said that it would suit me because I am a people person.
‘A vacancy came up, I applied for it and got it. I loved working for Viewpoint Housing because you were living beside all the residents.
‘And there was a piano in the complex, I would put up social events for them because it was right up my street.’
She added: ‘It’s all about keeping your mind active with things that you love doing. I’m sure I’ll wind down eventually, but I’m definitely not ready to stop just yet.’