A life celebrated as Ada Rose marks 100 years
WHEN Roslyn Stemmler proposed a toast to her grandmother Margaret Ada Rose at her 100th birthday recently, she said that she wanted to be just like her.
“I want to live long enough to enjoy retirement, to be as sharp and capable and young at heart as her, to look in the mirror at 100 and go — who is that?” Ms Stemmler said.
“Because inside she is still the young girl she once was.”
Mrs Rose celebrated the significant milestone at a special afternoon tea with over 50 family and friends at TriCare Willow Glen Retirement Community, where she has lived since 2002.
The birthday celebrations began with a champagne toast followed by speeches, finishing with the cutting of a beautifully decorated cake and rousing rendition of ‘happy birthday’.
Village manager Tim Naidu said Mrs Rose is a much-loved and active resident of TriCare Willow Glen.
“She still gardens, cooks, walks the village and is sharp as a tack — she even corrected her granddaughter on a few points during her speech,” Mr Naidu said.
Mrs Rose was born in Goondiwindi on June 25, 1919, to Tom and Maggie Cochrane, eight months after the First World War ended.
She spent the first 10 years of her life in Yelarbon with her parents and two brothers, Bob and Jimmy, and sisters Harriet, Nancy and Hazel, before the family moved to Walgett in 1929.
From there, she has lived in various parts of Queensland; always with a strong work ethic, enduring the hardships life can bring and caring for those she loves.
Ms Stemmler counts good health, determination, energy and, above all, a great interest in life as some of her grandmother’s defining features.
“My grandmother’s mantra has always been every day is a good day,” she said.
“No matter what happens, they’re all good days, as long as a day comes around!”
Having survived two husbands and enjoyed the good fortune of five children, 13 grandchildren and 31 greatgrandchildren, Mrs Rose once said she wouldn’t like to go through all the tough times again.
“But if I had my life over, if I could turn back the pages and start again, I probably would,” Mrs Rose said.
For further information about TriCare Willow Glen Retirement Community please call 1300 874 227 or visit tricare.com.au
‘‘ NO MATTER WHAT HAPPENS, THEY’RE ALL GOOD DAYS, AS LONG AS A DAY COMES AROUND.” MARGARET ADA ROSE