A 104-year-old resident’s birthday wish
When you’re 104-years-old, thinking of an original birthday wish can’t be a piece of cake.
For Muriel Odlin, it was simple - make it to 105.
The Red Beach resident celebrated 104 years this week at CHT Halldene Home & Hospital.
Surrounded by staff, friends, and three generations of her family, she blew out the candles and cut the first slice of a giant chocolate cake - her favourite.
Muriel is the oldest resident at the Red Beach home by a few years, and goes by ‘‘grandma’’ to many who live and work there.
A real grandmother to three, she is also mother of one, great grandmother to 10, and great, great grandmother to one.
Muriel believes there is no secret to longevity, and says it’s ‘‘just a matter of luck’’ that she made it to 104.
She does however believe in the importance keeping a sense of humour.
‘‘One of my favourite sayings is ‘a sense of humour is a saving grace’, and it is,’’ she said.
‘‘If you can laugh at everybody else, but you can’t laugh at yourself, you’re lost.’’
Son Keith says Muriel ‘‘still has a keen sense of humour and greets every day with a smile’’.
‘‘It’s very apparent when you talk to her,’’ he said.
Muriel moved to New Zealand in 1977 with her husband Laurence to follow Keith and his family, who moved from Sheffield, England, in 1966.
Moving in their retirement for
‘‘One of my favourite sayings is 'a sense of humour is a saving grace', and it is. ’’
Muriel Odlin
the improved weather and lifestyle, the couple never looked back, and often enjoyed walking the beaches of the Hibiscus Coast.
Muriel has a love of tennis, reading, poetry and music, and has always enjoyed crosswords ‘‘like they’re going out of style’’.
‘‘The bigger the better. She used to pride herself on the fact she never had to use a dictionary,’’ Keith said.
Grandaughter Nikki, who works as a carer at the retirement home, was the first person to see Muriel on her special day, wishing her a happy birthday as she woke up in the morning.
Her room was decorated with balloons and tinsel by the staff, who were excited to celebrate the special occasion with Muriel.
CHT Halldene Home & Hospital is expanding into a second building adjacent to its current premises on Halldene Terrace in mid-2018.