One of NZ's oldest twins dies

Matilda Hanlon (right) and her sister Beryl Baguley. Photo / Brett Phibbs

One half of one of the world's oldest sets of twins has died.

Matilda Hanlon, from Papatoetoe, passed away on Monday, aged 102.

Mrs Hanlon and her twin sister Beryl Baguley were listed in the Guiness Book of Records as the fourth oldest set of twins in the world.

Mrs Hanlon (nee Wilson) told the New Zealand Herald in 2009 life "is about keeping things simple".

"I've had the odd shandy to be sociable but that's it, I've never been drunk, I'd probably get in trouble if I did," she said.

"Oh and I have never smoked cigarettes, they're just awful, aren't they ?"

In a death notice in today's New Zealand Herald, her grandchilden said she was a "fantastic example of simplicity".

"May you now rest in peace with your loved ones and we will forever treasure the memories of such a unique and loving woman."

-Herald Online staff