At 103 years old, Kitty (Kate) Smith shows no signs of slowing down – especially when it comes to her beloved bingo!
Kitty celebrated her 103rd birthday with family and Arcare Lifestyle Thornlands residents on January 15.
She shares the date with three other sprightly residents aged 96, 94 and 87.
Kitty is the oldest resident at the centre, and everyone joined her for cake with 15 members of her family, including some special guests who travelled from the US and Perth for the occasion.
Kitty has two children, 15 grandchildren, 35 great grandchildren and 34 great great grandchildren.
Her daughter Jean Barnes, 83, of Thornlands, describes her mother as an unassuming woman who just “gets things done”.
“She’s a hard worker, she’s quiet and lovely. She’s just like the rest of us, always keeping up and always prepared,” Mrs Barnes said.
Arcare Lifestyle coordinator Sally Winton said Kitty was a spiritual woman and an avid reader.
“She loves to sit in the morning sunshine after breakfast, weather permitting, and plays bingo each week,” Mrs Winton said.
“She will always have a chat. People look out for her here.”
Born in England, Kitty has memories of walking in the woods when the bluebells were blooming.
At 18, she married Tom Smith, and they moved to Australia in 1962. Tom died in 2015.
“Mum puts her longevity down to living in Australia,” Mrs Barnes said.
