Born in Sydney and then whisked off, along with her five brothers, to a new life on the farm at Yeoval in the State’s Central West, Lola opened a dress-making at tailoring business at Newtown upon her return to Sydney as a young woman.
“That was very rare in those days for a woman to be opening and running her own business,” Helen said.
After meeting husband Frances at a dance, Lola continued to work but eventually wound up the business to play more golf and nurse her own mother and father as well as other family members during illness.
“Mum was always devoted to us and is one of the happiest and warmest people you could ever meet,” Helen said.
“She was always very popular and still is. She has all of her faculties, has so much spirit and is grateful that she’s had such a wonderful life. She certainly knew how to have a lot of fun.”
With the family home in Tempe and later Oatley, dog lover Lola also has five grandchildren and 10 great grandchildren.
Ever popular Lola celebrating 100th
☐ Lola Smith got a surprise visit on Monday from Canterbury MP Sophie Kotsis to help celebrate her 100th birthday.
DESCRIBED as a good time girl and a trailblazer, Lola Smith has just celebrated her 100th birthday with daughter Helen McBride, son Denis Smith, other family and friends at a special lunch in Clemton Park Nursing Home.