Described by Beechwood staff as a truly amazing woman who is “mobile, with all of her marbles, content and cheerful”, Jean said she is also a little bit cheeky and laughs at the suggestion she is anything but ordinary.
“It’s true I haven’t got a thing wrong with me,” she said.
“But I’ve been lucky I suppose that I was able to keep working for a long time and have always walked everywhere; the exercise has definitely helped.”
Jean said that caring for a husband and sister with diabetes for many years, also ensured her diet was “bland” and low sugar which may have also contributed to her longevity.
The former chef and TAFE teacher in Hotel Restaurant and Catering Management said her biggest achievement was her happy marriage to Geoffrey and her two sons, five grandchildren and numerous great grandchildren.
Her travels have taken her as far as Mongolia, with New Zealand being one of the highlights for her.
She puts her long life down to a healthy lifestyle.
“I’ve always loved dancing and that’s kept me young also and I’ve never drank or smoked but I certainly didn’t die of boredom,” she said with a laugh.
“The best advice I can give to anyone is everything in moderation; just don’t overdo it.”dgf
Jean’s birthday was marked with a fun afternoon tea surrounded by over 50 friends and fellow residents from Beechwood along with her family on Friday, and included the presentation of a special Centenarian Club gift.
