‘Big Nana’ celebrates century
Joyce Terrill never forgets a loved one’s birthday and always sends a card – even at the age of 100.
Saturday marked a century for the great-grandmother, who moved from her Hāwera home into a New Plymouth retirement home only five years ago to be closer to family.
She also only stopped driving at 95, as she didn’t want to have to manoeuvre a car around the city.
Joyce was born and bred in Hāwera, and spent her ‘‘first 95 years’’ there.
She left school at 14 to work, and met her late husband Eric at a table tennis tournament in Ohangai in the years that followed.
‘‘I’d never played table tennis in my life, and we won,’’ Joyce said.
‘‘And she got a man at the same time,’’ one of her daughters, Jennifer Baker, joked.
They were married in 1942 and spent more than 60 years together before he died in 2005.
Eric was a signwriter, an artist, and loved restoring vintage motorbikes, and the pair spent decades on the road together on both bikes and in cars.
There was a time when they travelled on a vintage motorbike, with Joyce in the side cart.
While she didn’t have a car growing up, and didn’t get her licence until she was in her 40s, Joyce is still a member of the Taranaki Vintage Car Club – and will be attending a big event next week.
‘‘She’s probably the oldest member of the vintage car club,’’ Baker said.
‘‘I would think so,’’ Joyce said.
Joyce comes from ‘‘good stock’’ and can name several family members who lived longer than 100.
But, does she feel her age? ‘‘No,’’ she scoffed.
Joyce has four children, 12 grandchildren and 14 great-grandchildren.
‘‘She’s Nana to our children and Big Nana to their children,’’ Baker said. ‘‘She still remembers 46 of us to send birthday cards to. I can’t even do that.’’
Baker tried to return the favour to her mum, organising cards from the likes of the Queen, prime minister, and governor general, which are proudly displayed on Joyce’s shelf.
The birthday girl also got the treat of seeing about 60 of her family members for a big celebration on Saturday.
‘‘It’s the first time we’ve all been together for I don’t know how long,’’ Joyce said.
In 2021, we provided more than 1950 riding sessions to 116 riders who have a disability. We could not do this without our volunteer team supporting our coaches. We are seeing a continuing increase in demand for our services and to allow us to reach more riders we need to increase our volunteer team.
We know your time with New Plymouth RDA will be a rewarding experience with an organisation passionate about offering equine therapy to better the lives of people in need in our community.
We are seeking volunteers to train as leaders and sidewalkers who are reliable, have genuine care for people and animals, work well in a team and are flexible in the various tasks involved. You don’t have to be horse experienced, however, it is an advantage if you can be confident around horses and have a reasonable level of fitness. Our operating hours are Mondays to Thursdays, 8.30am till about 2.15pm during school terms.
If you or someone you know is interested in becoming a volunteer in our wonderful team, we are offering the opportunity for you to come along and see what we do. From Monday, January 24, through to Thursday, January 27, come along to our arena at 1 Alba St between 10am and 12noon and we can tell you all about what volunteering at RDA involves.
This is what our volunteers say: ‘‘My RDA day is my favourite day of the week. To be able to give to the community in a way that positively impacts the lives of RDA riders is so rewarding – and all this while working with horses and wonderful like-minded people!’’
Please note as we work in close contact with vulnerable people, volunteering will be subject to a satisfactory police check and evidence of a Covid-19 vaccine pass.
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‘‘She’s Nana to our children and Big Nana to their children.’’ Jennifer Baker, daughter