Born in Petersham with twin Madge on American Independence Day, July 4, 1924, Joan’s daughter Sue said she used to say “you know they have a holiday in America for me”.
The eldest of five, they lived near where father worked for John Darling & Son Flour Mills in Rhodes.
“Mum has memories of her father being allowed a cup of flour a week in the Depression,” Sue said.
“She also remembers being sent out to collect coal from railway tracks as ‘they were hard times’.
“On their 14th birthdays, she and her sister started work at a dressmaking company and could make anything from beautiful baby clothes and men’s trousers to designer dresses; she’s always had a wonderful sense of fashion which continues with her granddaughters.”
Joan also has touching memories of the war years where she lost many friends as well as when her father dug out a bunker in the backyard after the Japanese entered Sydney Harbour.
Marrying Fred in 1942, they moved into their new home in Karne Street, Riverwood, when she was 21 and she stayed there for 79 years before moving into care last year.
She and Fred belonged to the Padstow RSL darts club while raising six children which has now grown to 23 grandchildren, 40 great grandchildren and a great great grandchild.
Sue said Joan celebrated her 100th with 85 guests and received cards from Kings Charles, Governor General David Healey, NSW Governor Margaret Beazley, Prime Minister Anthony Albanese and Premier Chris Minns but of all, was the most proud of her letter from Federal MP for Bankstown, David Coleman.
Longtime Riverwood local shares longevity secrets after turning 100
SHE thought nothing of driving a high-powered speed boat through Nambucca Heads at 95 and after turning 100, longtime Riverwood resident Joan Watson says the secret is to “stay positive, never give in and keep walking as long as possible”.
