Evelyn celebrates 100 years
AT 100 years old, Toowoomba’s Evelyn Craswell couldn’t help but giggle at the thought of all her family and friends coming from far and wide to help her celebrate at Salem Aged Care yesterday.
“I’m a bit overwhelmed,” she told The Chronicle, smiling and laughing as she sat in her chair, away from the din of the party held in her honour.
Relatives came from all around the country to wish her well.
“I had no idea that I’d get all that mob, my family, in one place,” she said.
Born in 1917 in Norman Park, Brisbane, Mrs Craswell lived through the Great Depression, and moved with her husband Charles to Toowoomba in 1938.
She said Toowoomba had changed immensely during her 70-odd years in the city, but said one thing remained the same. “I think it’s still a very friendly place and the people mix well,” she said.
While longevity seems to run in the family, Mrs Craswell attributed her century to a happy life in which she was always busy, especially with volunteer work. “I did a lot of work for charities, mainly through the church - St James,” she said.
“And I was very involved in the church, all my life. I enjoyed it and I made a lot of friends.”
Mrs Craswell has five children, 12 grandchildren, 25 great-grandchildren and one great-great-grandchild.
The Queen, Prime Minister, and a number of other dignitaries congratulated her on turning 100.
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“I had no idea that I’d get all that mob in one place.” — Evelyn Craswell