Card from Queen highlight of Kath's big birthday

HAPPY BIRTHDAY: Kath Anstey, 100, middle, with sister Edith Russell, left, daughter Debbie Pointon, second from right, and son Tim Anstey, right.

Kath Anstey received a number of gifts for her 100th birthday but it was a special card from overseas that had her buzzing.

The card was from the Queen which delighted Kath because she is a huge fan of the royal family.

Kath marked her birthday on Friday with family and residents at Kena Kena Resthome, Paraparaumu Beach, and again on Saturday at a family function at Paraparaumu Beach.

Asked how she felt turning 100, she said, "I feel just the same as I've always felt."

And the secret to longevity was to "keep busy".

Kath was born in Bridlington, England, in 1917. She married Leslie Bull, a Royal Air Force pilot, at the beginning of World War II.

Imprisoned in German prisoner-of-war camp Stalag Luft III Leslie was among the planning committee for the Great Escape, and would later be caught and executed by the Germans.

Widowed and with a young boy, David Bull, Kath and her son stayed with in-laws in the south of England where Kath would meet RNZAF bomber pilot Ron Anstey, in a local pub.

They fell in love.

Ron and Kath married after the war and along with young David, settled in the Hutt Valley.

Ron worked for importing company Nathan's and Kath enjoyed being a housewife and raising their two children Tim and Debbie.

Kath, who lived in Raumati South in her retirement years, enjoyed playing golf at Manor Park and Paraparaumu Beach, loved embroidery and artwork, and had a keen interest in current affairs and the royal family.