100 candles to blow out for Avonlea Grange centenarian

Bolton Clarke Avonlea Grange resident Letty is grateful for all 100 years of her life and says that’s the secret to living to her age.

“I think I have had a good life and I’m happy,” Letty said.

“I have always tried to be happy with what I’ve got and I think you just have to accept things.

“You can’t always want things all the time like some people do.”

The 99-year-old will be adding an extra candle to her cake this year, eagerly awaiting her 100^th birthday celebrations with her family.

“I’m excited to have a birthday with cake with 100 candles but I don’t think I have enough wind in me to blow them out!”

Born and raised in Williamstown, Letty started her career as a stenographer typist where she unexpectedly met the love her life.

“We both worked together at the furniture store Patterson’s – Raymond was a salesman.

“It wasn’t love at first sight, we sort of grew on one another while spending time together at work, and they held a lot of work parties too.

“I was about 32 when we had our first child and we moved to Glen Huntley.”

Letty and Ray moved on to owning many small businesses across west Melbourne, including a deli and sandwich shop before Ray suffered a stroke.

“I was in my 50s at the time and had to go back to part-time work while I looked after Ray.

“I was working three jobs at the time, caring for my husband during the day and in the evening my kids would help me with jobs that I could do from home.”

Letty’s daughter Wendy says her mum has always been a hard worker and a caring person.

“Mum has always been very active, when the first grandchild was born, she was in her 60s and would catch the train to help my brother Russell,” Wendy said.

“When we were in high school, she was the president of the Mother’s Club Association at Moorabbin High.

“Before moving into Avonlea, she was the president of the gardening club in her retirement village and did a lot of volunteering for Meals on Wheels.”

The grandmother celebrated the milestone on 17th March alongside family and friends with a gold-themed.