By Rachel Curry
Seven residents of the Little Sisters of the Poor aged care home in Glendalough – including the cousin of an Emeritus Archbishop and a Sister of Mercy – have celebrated surpassing the milestone of 100 years of age.
Dubbed “the magnificent seven”, the women were congratulated at a special morning tea at the aged care home on Thursday, 25 August.
They each received flowers and a plaque from City of Stirling Mayor Giovanni Italiano, while Emeritus Archbishop Barry Hickey blessed a cake to be shared with family members.
Aged between 100 and 103, the women have led incredible lives across Australia and beyond.
The most senior of the group, Veronica Mary Repacholi (Bonnie), is the cousin of Emeritus Archbishop Hickey, who noted during his speech that he was there both in an official capacity and as a proud family member.
Mrs Repacholi is a former teacher who worked in many country towns in Western Australia, before meeting her husband Sydney in Kondinin and starting her family of two children, seven grandchildren and one great-grandchild.
Iris Adelaide Smith, who originates from Myanmar, was described as a selfless and loving woman, whose loss of sight hasn’t stopped her building a relationship with her two great-grandchildren.
Lois Davis was also born overseas – in Canada – but immigrated to Australia at the age of three, where she raised two children as a single mother and had a successful career as a nurse.
Kathleen Jones, who moved to Perth from South Australia in 2012, worked on remote cattle stations as a cook in her younger years, which is where she met Donald, her late husband of 66 years.
In contrast, Sheila Stade lived most of her life in Western Australia – including 21 years in the country – working as a nurse, raising a family with her husband Eric (Paddy) and fostering a love for ballroom dancing, fishing and motor sports.
Linda Baptist was born in Malaya and worked as the Chief Supervisor of the Kuala Lumpur Telephone Exchange, where she was responsible for 500 employees, before immigrating to Perth in the 1980s.
Finally, the self-described “baby of the group” is Sister Hanora McNamara, who entered the Sisters of Mercy more than 80 years ago.
Sr McNamara worked as a secondary teacher in metropolitan and country schools and was also involved in the formation of young women interested in joining the order.
Speaking only a couple of months after her 100th birthday, she said the key to living a long life was maintaining relationships and having a positive outlook.
“The secret is to keep interested in friends and people and don’t go away and be a hermit. Live life,” Sr McNamara said.
“I feel very thankful to God for my health, strength, friends and life in general. Life is what you make it. Be happy and you can make others happy.”