Reaching 101 is no small feat, and for Thursia Lawson, the milestone was celebrated with music, joy and the people who matter most at TOTALCARE La Vie Nouvelle in Broadacres on October 29.

At 101, Lawson has lived through more than a century of change, witnessed generations grow and gathered a lifetime of memories.

On her special day, however, the focus was on making her feel loved, celebrated and surrounded by familiar faces.

“I am feeling overwhelmed,” she said.

For Leilani Kuter, who works at TOTALCARE La Vie Nouvelle, this was a memorable experience.

“It is my first time ever meeting anybody who is 101 years old. What an honour to get to know her,” she said.

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What has struck Kuter most about Lawson is her happiness and the way she continues to carry herself.

“What I love about her is she is always happy. For somebody at 101, she can still see very well, even if she cannot hear as well anymore,” Kuter said.

Lawson also takes pride in her appearance, something Kuter clearly admires.

“She always dresses beautifully. She is a lady, and I wish I could really just sit down with her and talk to her for hours because she has literally been through everything. She has witnessed a lot of things in her life,” Kuter said.

Family gathers for milestone

There is something special about sitting with someone who has lived through 101 years of history. The stories, the changes and the experiences they carry are a reminder of just how much one lifetime can hold.

Lawson spent her birthday in the company of her family, including her son, Bruce Lawson, 73, and daughter, Julia Scott Lawson, 69.

Her sister-in-law, Camilla Conway, who has shared 24 years of family and friendship with the household, was also there to celebrate the occasion.

“We had a special cake with the number 101, and it is wonderful for me that her family is here,” Kuter said.

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“We were singing, and our staff sang in their own languages as well. It was very special and a bonus. It was just a wonderful day,” she said.

For Kuter, the celebration was a reminder that making an older person feel special does not have to involve an elaborate event. Sometimes, being present is enough.

“For senior people, all they want to do is be loved, seen, heard and together. You do not have to go over the top,” she said.

For Lawson, turning 101 was an opportunity to celebrate another year of life with the people closest to her.

For those around her, it was a chance to honour a woman whose life has stretched across generations.
TOTALCARE La Vie Nouvelle is a lifestyle retirement village in Broadacres offering independent living, assisted living and frail care. The organisation has 13 facilities and has been operating for 27 years.

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