Halfway Gardens resident 100 years young

The home has an even older gem in the form of Norah Lillico who is a hundred years old and the home’s oldest resident.

Lillico celebrated her 100th birthday on the morning of 10 April flanked by Christ Church school pupils, her family and fellow residents.

“I am so grateful that all these people came to just wish me well,” she said. Lillico added that the most important thing in life was family, and her family’s love had sustained her through the years. “My greatest joy in these 100 years has to be my family. They’ve given me a lot of happiness and they still are.”

Although the centenarian couldn’t recall the number of years she’d been a teacher before she retired, she said it felt as if it was a lifetime.

She said young people should look forward to growing older and wiser. “It is not fun walking with a stick,” she said jokingly. “However, seeing everyone grow up and change in front of your eyes is the fun part.”

Lillico’s 63-year-old son, Andrew, was present at the celebration. “It is a great to have my mom still around at my age,” he said. He added that his mother taught him a great deal about being idealistic and about Greek mythology. “She taught me to think deeply.”

Shona Le Roux who runs the home together with her husband, John, said they were ecstatic that Lillico had reached this milestone. “[We are so grateful to have such a rare occurrence] in our home,” said Shona. “I certainly do not think that I’ll make it to that age.”

Well, if love and family is indeed the secret to longevity, the loving residents of Halfway Gardens Old Age Home have more 100-year birthday celebrations to look forward to.

Do you know of someone who has recently celebrated an extraordinary birthday? Let us know by emailing midrandreporter@caxton.co.za