Dorothy keeps on keeping on

Dorothy Corbishley in her Tamatea flat of many years, still independent in her 90s. Photograph by Warren Buckland

Dorothy Corbishley in her Tamatea flat of 27 years, still independent in her 90s.

PHOTO: WARREN BUCKLAND

by Brenda Vowden

brenda.vowden@nzme.co.nz

Dorothy Corbishley is much like many of the plants in her beloved garden - thriving.

The nearly 92-year-old is the longest resident who has lived at the Coventry Avenue Council owned complex in Tamatea, moving in at the tender age of 65.

She is championed by daughter Janice, one of Dorothy's nine children who are scattered around New Zealand and Australia. Son Brian was killed in a car accident in 1991.

Even though a recent fall left Dorothy black and blue and with an injured leg, she is still taking things in her stride, refusing home help when the call came through.

"Someone rang to say they'd come and do the housework. I told them no thanks, I can do it. I just do whatever comes up," Dorothy says.

One of the main pastimes which has kept Dorothy grounded since she was 4 years old is gardening. As well as keeping her own plot blooming with flowers of all description, Dorothy also has a thriving vege patch. And to top that off, she does other residents' gardens while they are away.

"My mum used to say, God gave you those hands to put in the dirt."

However, a recent eye operation has unfortunately taken away Dorothy's sense of smell.

"I know the roses smell, but I can't smell them - that annoyed me. I just put up with it and remember the smells from years ago."

Dorothy also recalls vividly her earlier years growing up in the South Island and starting her working life as a cook at the Lyndhurst Hospital.

She wasn't confident in her abilities, but decided she'd "jolly well learn". After three or four years working there, she told the matron she had got engaged.

"The matron said to me, 'That's it then. If you're going to go and get married, you're not working here'."

She moved on to working as a cook at a home for "neglected children" and ended up in charge of the boys' section.

"I stayed there until I got married."

Dorothy's husband was an engineer so there was plenty of shifting house, until they finally settled in Hawke's Bay where Dorothy has worked in a motel and as a gardener.

Although she has lived alone for many years, 22-year-old Kelly is her constant companion. She adopted the black and white cat from a neighbour 11 years ago and he goes for a walk around the 'village' most days.

Although she no longer drives, Dorothy still gets her own groceries and does all her own cooking — but has takeaways "once in a blue moon".

"I'm pretty independent."