Multiple celebrations for Jean's 100th birthday

Flanked by daughter-in-law Sandra Foster, left, and daughter Wendy Fryer, Jean Foster and her fellow Waipawa Ladies Golf Club members celebrated her 100th birthday this week. Photo / Clinton Llewellyn

Waipukurau's Jean Foster will be celebrating her 100th birthday with family and friends today and she was in hot demand for celebrations throughout the week with the organisations and clubs she's dedicated many years to.

One of those groups was the Central Hawke's Bay branch of the Red Cross which held a function this week not only to celebrate the milestone birthday, but also to present two special awards - a 75-year long service award and the Meritorious Service Award.

Branch president Sherrie Bird said the pensioner initially joined the Omakere Red Cross when she and husband Alan moved to the area in 1952, and since that time had contributed in many ways to help with fundraising.

"Though the branch retired her from baking for our cake stall she still bakes her shortbread for us every year, and she attends monthly meetings," Bird said.

Her Red Cross involvement followed years in nursing, some of that overseas during World War II, including nine months in New Caledonia in the convalescent depot for men mainly suffering from malaria and other tropical diseases.

She also spent 18 months stationed at a hospital in Bari, Italy, before returning to Ashburton where she nursed and then married in 1948.

After moving to a ballot farm in Hautope, she became involved in many other community activities including the Waipawa Golf Club, about 50 members of which travelled from near and far for a surprise birthday party at the clubrooms this week.

She joined the club in the late 1950s proving herself a handy player, getting down to a handicap of 15 at one stage.

One former club member remembered Foster's welcoming friendliness to new members, as well as her "fluent swing" and fashion sense that made her one of the most "smartly dressed ladies on the course".

As was common in her generation, she made her own clothes, as well as for her two children, John and Wendy, aided by her training as a seamstress before the war, said daughter Wendy Fryer.

A keen gardener, she was renowned for her roses, of which she had more than 100 planted at the family farm.

Having since moved into Waipukurau, she had downsized the garden but still grew vegetables and flowers and did all her own cooking.

"I miss the garden," she said.

Asked what were the biggest changes she had seen over the years, she said it was probably the advances in technology and cars went a lot faster.

"I don't have a cellphone though."

And her secret to a long life?

"Eating a good diet - three good meals a day."

Now a grandmother to six and great-grandmother to 12, the celebrations continue today with a gathering of friends and family at Oruawharo Homestead.