Radius Millstream resident Eileen Greenwood celebrated her 102nd birthday on Monday with family, fellow residents and staff.
There was a morning tea, balloons, a card from the Prime Minister, a bagpiper and two cakes.
Eileen said she really didn’t think about the fact she was 102.
She credits her longevity to how well her mum cooked and looked after the family, and the country life.
Eileen was born Eileen Lacey in Aylesbury, the youngest of four children.
‘‘The secret to a long life is to be happy, to be satisfied with life and don’t grizzle, as it doesn’t help,’’ she said.
Until her eyesight prevented her from reading a few years ago, she enjoyed love stories with happy endings.
Music has played a big part in her life. Her mother was a gifted pianist who taught Eileen to play.
‘‘My two sisters were taught music, but there wasn’t the money for me to learn, so mum taught me. They were tough times in those days, so I had to learn another way. I say I am one of God’s special people, having learnt to play by ear,’’ she said.
Eileen’s talents were often called on in the Ellesmere district to play at socials, weddings and dances, all of which bought her much pleasure and enjoyment.
It was at a dance she met her late husband Colin.
Eileen had two favourite music styles – dance music and hymns.
‘‘I would sing my heart out at church and people told me I was very good but I was never asked to join the choir.
A favourite hymn and one she still enjoys singing today is Jesus Loves Me.
Having grown up on a farm, Eileen remembered learning to milk cows, something she had enjoyed.
When it came time for her secondary education, Eileen refused to walk the four miles each way to catch the school bus, so didn’t attend high school.
‘‘Even though I didn’t go to high school, I was pretty good with spelling, writing a nice letter and arithmetic,’’ she said.
While Eileen’s favourite pets were cats, she remembered the fun she had with her mother’s poodle.
‘‘We had a big garden and I would race the dog on my trike. I think it always won as it had four legs and I only two,’’ Eileen said.
‘‘I have been lucky with my health over the years. I thank my lucky stars. Though I do have scar from falling off my bike once.
‘‘I should have gone to hospital, but while mum wasn’t a trained nurse, she had many nursing skills and dressed it three times a day for a month.’’
