Three Whangārei women celebrate combined 283 years

Mabel Redwood, on her 101st birthday, with great-grand-daughters from left, Caitlyn, 15, Jessica, 13, and 9-year old Natalie Redwood.

Residents, families and staff at Whangārei's Jane Mander Village's rest home have just celebrated a birthday event that totalled 283 years.

A joint party for three women's birthdays saw the cakes and candles come out, balloons and even a country music band in the facility's atrium.

Mabel Redwood turned 101, an occasion that saw four generations of her family on hand to celebrate.

She has lived all her life in Whangārei, and long after her husband Ken Redwood died, lived independently in her own home until she was 98 years old.

''We're very proud of her,'' her daughter Maureen Atkinson said.

Redwood's son Graeme with his son Glen and Glen's three daughters were also there.

Elegant in black, Dorothy Johnson was celebrating her 92nd birthday, which was at the weekend.
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She has lived at the Jane Mander home for more than three years, and is part of a ''close knit family'' of residents.

Youngest of the three friends is Moreen Walker, who was celebrating her 90th birthday.