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Centenarian Sybil Gardiner celebrated her 108th birthday with friends, family and community members of all ages on July 30 at her home away from home – the Warkworth RSA.
While seemingly not keen on smiling for photos (“I don’t have any dentures on,” she quipped), Sybil graciously allowed well-wishers to mark the occasion with pictures, cake, and even some singing.
One of the most touching moments came when Sybil’s close friend Joan Ballentine – who herself turned 100 in April – sang a delicate refrain, a heartfelt tribute that clearly moved the room and was met with gentle applause.
Despite reaching another remarkable milestone, Sybil said that turning 108 didn’t feel much different to 107.
“I mean, okay, I’ve got another year tagged on. I just keep on, keeping on,” she said seated at the RSA, flanked by friends.
These days Sybil enjoys a slower pace of life – a cup of tea and toasted sandwich at the RSA on Saturdays, watching television, and being chaperoned by her 77-year-old son Terry with a friend or two.
“I’m quite a quiet person, but if anything happens, any occasions, I’ll go.
“We visit Charlies (Gelato) in Matakana every Saturday, have an ice cream, and go for a drive wherever my son takes us. You can’t go forever, but it’s nice to look at the water and appreciate the scenery.”
Though most of her family live in Wellington, Sybil has made a long-standing home in Warkworth – 35 years ago, she and her husband visited the town on a holiday and decided it was the perfect place to settle.
Sadly, he passed away just months after they relocated, but Sybil stayed and found her place in the community.
These days Sybil is patron of the Women’s Section of the RSA, and while she admits she doesn’t “knock around much” anymore, there are plenty of people in the community who enjoy keeping her company.
Sybil said Piers Barney, who first approached Mahurangi Matters about her party, had been a friend and cut her lawns for years.
He replied wryly, “I keep an eye on you.”
Another friend said, “She’s still sharp, funny and lives in her own home, with her son Terry looking after her. That’s probably one of the main reasons she’s made it to 108.”
NZ’s oldest woman
New Zealand’s oldest living woman – and indeed its oldest living person – is Aileen Emily Kars, who is 111. This makes her a supercentenarian, a person who has reached the age of 110 years or older. It’s estimated to occur in only about 1 in 1000 centenarians.
Kars was born on September 12, 1913 in Tokomaru, Manawatu-Whanganui and currently resides in Palmerston North, at the Arvida Olive Tree retirement community in the Highbury suburb, where she has lived since 1993.
