100th birthday celebrations for former resident

Former Narrabri resident May Denton, celebrated her 100th birthday with her family at Tamworth on May 27, with the celebrations rolling into the week as May’s actual 100th birthday was on May 30.

Born Agnes May Lowrey in Inverell on May 30, 1923, May was the second youngest of nine children. After leaving school May worked at Hong Yuens, the local Inverell department store’s haberdashery department.

May met Len Denton just before he enlisted in World War II at a dance at the Gum Flat Hall.

May and Len were married on January 15, 1944, and they honeymooned in Canberra where Len was stationed at the time. While Len was away during the war, May continued to work at Hong Yuens and at the end of the war they moved to Delungra and had two children, George in 1946 and Robyn in 1947. May and Len moved to Edgeroi in 1948 as part of the Soldiers Settlers’ Scheme.

Pam was born in 1953 and James in 1960. The family moved to Narrabri in 1968 where May was president of the Narrabri Catholic Women’s League.

May and Len then moved to Tamworth in 1978 where they enjoyed gardening together. Sadly, Len passed away in May 2002 and son George in April 2013.

May was always very handy with the sewing machine and was known for her baking skills. May now lives at a nursing home in Tamworth and keeps busy with craft, hoy, bingo, knitting and reading. With a better memory than most, May continues to surprise everyone she meets with her wit and bright outlook on life.

May’s family comprises, her late son George, his wife Lyn and children Sonia, John and Jason, daughter Robyn and husband Lindsay Hobson and children Megan, Craig and Lauren, daughter Pam and her husband Ken Hardy, their children Louise, Shaun and Katrina and son James and wife Kerrie and their children Leasa, Tahnee and Kyle, as well as 18 great grandchildren, Scott, Bradley, Joseph, Nicholas, Ajay, Mila, Luke, Grace, Ashley, Pia, Annabelle, Cora, Issac, Fin, Elsye, Bowie, Harry and Wesley and one great granddaughter, Zoe.

Asked what it feels like to be 100, May answered “I don’t feel any different than I did yesterday.”

May’s tip for a happy, healthy life is “surround yourself with family, all of my family has looked after me.”