If there's ever a not so favourable time to turn 100 years old, it's got to be during a COVID-19 lockdown.
Subscribe now for unlimited access.
$0/
(min cost $0)
or signup to continue reading
Mavis Patterson reached her 100th birthday yesterday, Sunday, August 22.
With the Greater Sydney and Central Coast area in lockdown, planning a big family shindig was out of the question as many of Mavis's family comes from that area.
So neighbour Maureen Sinclair thought she'd organise a party for Mavis herself, and it was slated to take place on Saturday, August 28.
Now the entire State is in lockdown until that date and the party can't go ahead on that day as originally planned.
And, with day-to-day uncertainty about when we will be freer to move around, when Mavis gets to celebrate her momentous birthday with family and friends is unclear.
However, she is philosophical about it.
"These things happen," she says.
Mavis was born in Hurstville, and lived in Sydney until 21 years ago, when she moved to Tuncurry, after the death of her husband, Reginald, in 2000.
Mavis met Reginald as an 18-year-old.
Her favourite past-times were dancing, and walking along Cronulla Beach.
I love it. On the nice days I like getting out there doing things.
- Mavis Patterson
The couple had two children, Doreen and a son, Kevin, who died in 1999, only a year before Reginald.
Mavis worked in the publishing industry, working at the printing presses.
At 100 years old, Mavis is fit and healthy, and loves gardening at her home where she lives with Doreen.
"I love it. On the nice days I like getting out there doing things."
She also loves just pottering around her house.
Mavis is a member of the War Widows, and was a member of Probus, pre-COVID.
She now has seven grandchildren and three great grandchildren.
When asked what the secret is to her longevity, publicity-shy Mavis didn't have an answer.
"It just happened that way, I don't know," she says.
Did you know? Great Lakes Advocate online subscribers not only have 24/7 access to local and national news, sport, what's on and entertainment - they also have access to our print editions in digital format, with all the advertisements and classifieds at their fingertips.