My Account
Moira Wendelborn, who turns 100 on December 19, grew up on a small farm in Waihi, in a family of nine boys and nine girls.
There was not much money around, but there was “every animal and fruit tree you can think of”, and a large vegetable garden cared for by Moira’s father.
A creek ran through the property and Moira says as kids they were always in the water – outside running around and having fun.
She credits this upbringing with her longevity but her friend, Rae Myhill, says it’s more about her lively sense of humour, her outlook on life and independent spirit.
It was relatively recently that Moira shifted from her home in Red Beach into The Beachfront Resthome in Stanmore Bay. She says she was reluctant to move but a few falls made it the sensible option.
Moira worked as a psychiatric nurse at Oakley Hospital in Auckland, which was very challenging. She remembers being congratulated on a job well done after handling a difficult situation with a patient. “I originally wanted to be a nurse, but my parents didn’t have the money for the training,” she says. “I’ve always been interested in people and what makes them tick.”
She married at the age of 21 and had three sons.
Moira rarely gets sick, doesn’t need hearing aids and only wears glasses for reading and watching television.
“I read as much as I can, although my eyes get tired,” she says. “I also spend time looking at my lovely view and thinking back.”
For six years she has been coming regularly to Centre of Mutual Aid (CMA) Stanmore Bay, which provides activities and companionship for elderly people. She is especially impressed by the Chinese taxi driver who collects her, and others, for CMA and goes out of his way to ensure their comfort.
CMA Stanmore Bay’s final meeting for the year, on December 14, will be a birthday party for Moira.
