It was a day full of surprises for the Sunshine Coast’s newest centenarian Mary Norris who turned 100 on Friday.
Surrounded by more than 40 friends and family at her surprise birthday party at St Peter’s Anglican Church, Maroochydore, Mary said the milestone was also a bit astonishing.
Thinking it was just a regular Fellowship Craft Group meeting, Mary said being met with similing partygoers, a gorgeous high tea, gifts and balloons galore, made her feel “marvelous”.
“I never knew it was going to be a big party, I just thought it was going to be us sewing, crocheting and knitting,” Mrs Norris said.
“It’s a big surprise because I always thought I’d be lucky if I got to 60.
“I never ever walked around or did anything and thought I was young or felt old… I just felt like I always felt.”
Among the dignitaries who sent Mary their best wishes were the Queen of England, Prime Minister Anthony Albanese, Premier Annastacia Palaszczuk, Qld Governor Dr Jeannette Young and Australia’s Governor General David Hurley.
“That was another surprise, I couldn’t believe it,” she said.
Mary’s health advice to all the “whippersnappers” out there was to keep up with your passions.
“Keep doing what you usually do and never say I can’t, because once people start saying I can’t, you see people start going backwards,” she said.
“Because then they don’t try and do anything.
“You get into that habit and you don’t do what you usually do and you get to be an old person before you should.”
Doing her own housework and always keeping a good garden and lawns were some of the things Mary takes most pride in as well as weekly volunteer work and getting creative sewing, crocheting and knitting.
“I keep busy and help people when I can,” she said.
“I love it.”
Mary and her husband Ron lived in Newcastle and after spending many holidays over the years on the Sunshine Coast purchased land here.
But unfortunately before they were able to move Ron passed away in 1978.
Though he remained the most memorable experience of Mary’s life.
“Meeting Ron is my best memory,” she said.
“I was always was happy with him and always content. He was a good, loving, caring person.”
However, as Mary had family living in the area, in 1991 she went ahead and built the home she still lives in today.
She still lives independently in the same home and amazingly only surrendered her driving license two years ago.
“It’s going well for me still living on my own,” she said.
“I still feel good.”
Mary became an integral part of her Church community and was a regular attendee at the services for many years, providing morning tea after Wednesday morning service.
“This church community is great they are really friendly and caring,” she said.
Helping the team provide Community Meals in the Church Hall on a Wednesday night, Mary is there doing whatever is needed, whether it is peeling potatoes, washing dishes or chatting with community members.
“I love the company, the connection and the community,” she said.
“I love helping people, and the people are always friendly when they come in.
“If you can get out and do things with other people like charity work. Be helpful to people you think you can help if you have the time and energy.”
Mary has also been a vital member of the Fellowship Craft Group held at the church on Friday mornings.
Over the years she has knitted and crocheted many articles and was always the first to put up her hand when help was needed.
“It’s marvelous, because when you’re by yourself, time can be long and lonely,” she said.
“But if you have your knitting or little hobby you like to do, time goes by quickly.”
The Progression of technologies has always amazed Mary, who remembers having an ice chest instead of a freezer.
“The ice man coming around every couple of days, and when the fridges came in they were wonders,” she said.
In terms of advice she would give herself as a 21 year old again – she quoted her father John Norris.
“Be home by midnight if you go to a dance.”
St Peter’s Anglican Church Reverend Tania Eichler said Mary was a very kind and generous lady and an inspiration to them all.
