Dolly’s no- vice century
LONG- TERM Townsville resident Gertrude “Dolly” Roper reached a milestone surrounded by family and friends – turning 100 years old.
Mrs Roper celebrated with a birthday party with friends at Anglicare on Thursday, then Chinese takeaway with her family on Saturday, her birthday.
In her younger days the Railway Estate woman worked as a cook at a number of pubs – The Bellevue Hotel, The Australian, Causeway Hotel and The Stuart Hotel – but steered clear of vices.
“The secret to living to my age is to go to bed early. I have never drank or smoked cigarettes,” she said.
“When I was younger I loved gardening and cooking and I did ceramics for a hobby.”
Mrs Roper grew up on a property in Alligator Creek with her three sisters and two brothers.
“As kids we had to work in the garden, we worked hard. If we didn’t do as we were told we would get the strap,” she said. “I don’t regret it, it didn’t do me any harm. We had to water the plants and pick tomatoes and vegetables.” The secret to living to my age is to go to bed early, I have never drank or smoked cigarettes
At 18, Mrs Roper married Edward Lower, and the couple had four children.
After her divorce, Mrs Roper remarried Jock Roper, who served in World War II and later died from asbestosis.
She had two children from her second marriage.
Mrs Roper raised her grandson Stephen Roper, who is now caring for her at 35.
“He looks after me very well. I have asked him over the years to put me in a home but he won’t hear of it,” she said.
“If it wasn’t for him I don’t know where I would be.”
Mrs Roper said she never expected to live until 100 but she was excited to spend the day with her children, grandchildren and greatgrandchildren.
“All my children are alive and I am looking forward to seeing them all for my birthday,” she said.
“I have enjoyed my life. It’s been hard, but I wouldn’t change a thing.” intervene to ensure that the property passes to that child. Litigation sometimes arises when an elderly parent changes their will to favour one of their offspring and other offspring claim the parent was unduly influenced to change their will.
They may also argue the parent did not have the mental capacity to change their will. Where this allegation can be proven, the court will intervene and effectively rewrite the will. In some circumstances, the aggrieved offspring will have better prospects of success if they don’t wait for their parent to die.
Of course, it is much less expensive to sort these concerns out through discussion and agreement, rather than litigation.
If you think someone may be unhappy with changes you make to your will, make sure you engage a specialist succession lawyer to prepare your will and make them aware of that fact.