"Just live your life", Says Skydiving Centenarian

Resthaven Paradise and Eastern Community Services client, Irene O’Shea, celebrated her 100th birthday in a most unusual way.

Not content with the usual birthday party and letter from the Queen, Irene chose to go skydiving from 14,000 feet, clocking up a speed of 200km/hr during her 45 second freefall. 

"It was wonderful!" she said. "It was an experience I’ll never forget."

Indeed, Irene has always been an adventurer, described by her son in law, Mike, as "fiercely, determinedly independent. If it doesn’t suit her, she’ll let you know."

Whilst skydiving at 100 was possibly Irene’s most impressive feat, it certainly wasn’t her first – she climbed Uluru aged 64, travelled all over Australia with two friends in her 70s, and travelled (alone, of course) throughout America well into her 80s. 

Still living independently in her own home, Irene does not even need reading glasses! 

Irene dedicated her skydive to her daughter, Shelagh, who passed away from Motor Neurone Disease in 2008. 

"This was for my daughter," she said.

"You never know how much time you’ll have – if you’re meant to live to 100, you will. If you aren’t, you won’t."

"Just live your life, that’s all you can do."

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