Clarice Jesperson turned 100 yesterday. Photo / Andrew Warner
Rotorua woman Clarice Jesperson turned 100 yesterday, surrounded by family at Cantabria Home and Hospital.
The sports mad great grandmother was treated to a low-key morning tea and did not want a fuss made, she said.
The day was bittersweet.
"I just wanted to keep quiet," she said.
"The best thing about today is seeing everyone.
"The worst thing is that my family are all gone before me, I'm still here," she said.
Mrs Jesperson has lived in Rotorua since she was 13, where she raised her two children, but said it was unusual for someone in her family to live until they were 100.
She was happy at Cantabria Home and Hospital, where she watches a lot of sport and likes doing jigsaw puzzles.
Niece Betty Gwynne travelled from Auckland to spend three days with her aunt.
"She's awesome and she's got all her marbles.
"She was diagnosed with ME and couldn't knit or crochet or anything any more, so she got sports mad," she said.
Mrs Jesperson played tennis until she was 50 and then began playing bowls.
The avid sports follower is a big fan of rugby and her favourite All Black is captain Ritchie McCaw.
"That's why you live long, because of the sports."
Cantabria Home and Hospital activities co-ordinator Tania Gillions is a big fan of Mrs Jesperson.
"She's got a wicked sense of humour. She is a lot of fun."
The Government has no concerns about the development on state land in Ngongotahā.