Sisters celebrate as Lorna chalks up 100
Nineteen birthday cards have been strung from the walls of Lorna Jarrett’s room filled with loving words to celebrate her 100th birthday.
Flowers and chocolates sit on Jarrett’s dresser next to a photo of her wedding day in her room at Ernest Rutherford Retirement Village in Stoke.
Sisters Joy Wilkinson (89) and Diana Blair (83) sit beside Jarrett talking over the wonderful carrot cake they shared with family and friends on January 15.
Lorna said she had been spoilt by all the attention.
She said the secret to a long and fruitful life was to enjoy it, maybe even over a social wine or two. But, these days she enjoys a ginger beer.
With a sharp sense of humour Jarrett remarks how she had been in charge of her sisters for so many years but now they look after her. Wilkinson, Blair and Jarrett live in the village together where they make time to visit one another almost every day.
‘‘I never thought we would be here together. Aren’t we lucky?,’’ Jarrett said.
Blair said Jarrett ‘‘never missed a beat’’ on her birthday and no-one could wipe the smile from her face. ‘‘ Everyone was making a fuss of her and she just lapped it up,’’ she said. ‘‘She wasn’t going to miss out on anything.
‘‘It’s the first time that we know of anyone, in our history, in the family that has been 100.’’
Blair said Jarrett was a great knitter, dress-maker, cook, craft enthusiast and caring mother. Jarrett drove a car until she was 80 and would go out of her way for others.
Blair said her big sister would frequently take her on picnics to Ruby Bay or Marlborough Sounds or the three of them would go dancing together in Nelson on a Saturday night.
‘‘We were so close,’’ Blair said.
The pair also joined the local branch of Federated Farmers, Wilkinson joined the Lions Club.
The three sisters said they has seen many changes in Nelson over the years but never found a place better to spend their days. They hoped to enjoy many more together.