Resthaven's birthday girls celebrate

By Petrina Wright | Posted: Friday January 27, 2023

There must be a secret elixir of life in the water at Gore’s Resthaven care home - or is chocolate the answer?

Resthaven care home boasts three matriarchs who have surpassed the milestone birthday of 100 years.

Resident Eleanor Logan had her 101st birthday last year, Lorraine Wright turned 102 on January 19 and Ivy Hannah turned an impressive 104 on the weekend.

Lorraine’s advice for living to such an advanced age? “Don’t die,” she says matter-of-factly, with a twinkle in her eye.

The former primary school teacher and mother-of-six was gifted a bouquet of flowers and a birthday cake courtesy of Resthaven staff, and went out to the family farm for a party with her family earlier this month.

Her son Lindsay said his mother had had a Zoom call with 17 members of her family living overseas during the celebrations.

Now it’s Ivy’s turn to party. She turns 104 years young on Saturday (January 28).

Ivy was born on January 28,1919 to parents William Fraser and Ada Isabella Jeannie Duthie. She was one of eight children. Two of her siblings are still alive - Shirley 87 and Keith 89.

Ivy married Allan Hannah on April 22,1938 in Mataura. and they went on to have 11 children – seven of whom are still alive.

They shifted around Southland over the years, before settling in Mataura where Ivy and Allan became regulars at the Senior Citizens centre, played indoor and outdoor bowls and were very good gardeners winning many prizes at the local shows.

After Allan passed away in 1990, Ivy remained living independently in her own home until 2015 when she moved into Gore's Resthaven care home.

Her daughter Muriel said her mother still had a great sense of humour and was much loved by her children, 22 grandchildren, 44 great grandchildren and 11 great, great grandchildren.

“We are very proud of our Mum,” Muriel said.

Ivy admitted she had a fondness for chocolate, and suggested that could be partly responsible for her living to such an advanced age.

Muriel said the family had ordered a birthday cake and booked the Oban lounge for an afternoon tea, with about 19 family members attending, including one son's family-of-five from Australia.

Ivy played down the impending birthday.

“I plan to behave myself,” she said simply. “It will just be another day to me.”