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Mrs Payne Celebrates 100 with Friends and Family

on Wednesday, November 10, 2021

On 20 October 2021, Resthaven Onkaparinga Community Services client, Mrs Lorraine Kathleen ‘Joan’ Payne, reached her 100th milestone with ease, surrounded by family and friends.

100 years ago, Joan began her life in Adelaide, with her parents, and brother, James.

"In my school years I enjoyed history class, although, I didn’t stay long, leaving when I was about 14 years old," says Joan.

"I started work for Moores as an assistant [Now the Supreme Court of SA], until it burned down that is! I would have been around 16 then, and I’ll never forget that sight."

"I was the same age I suppose when I met my husband, Hubert, but he was always my Hugh."

"We met at the local dance when he was on leave from the Australian Army - he was the best dancer there, and out of everyone, he asked me to dance! He thought I was pretty good, too."

It was World War II, and Hugh was being sent off to Papua New Guinea, and so Joan’s mother, a talented seamstress, was quick to make a wedding dress.

"The wedding was rushed, but it didn’t matter, we were in love."

Joan shares a memory she will never forget about her late husband, "I had jet black hair back then, and when I would wear my white coat mum made for me, Hugh called me 'his angel in white.'"

Hugh went off to war, and Joan began work at Perry Engineering, a company that produced the bombs for the army. Very soon, they welcomed two daughters, Cheryl and Judith.

"Family is everything to me. It brought me a lot of joy bringing up our beautiful girls."

Joan always kept a meticulous house and had a flair for cooking – becoming the envy of the neighbourhood with her delicious Sunday Roasts.

"It served me well keeping a good house - Hugh always invited folks to the house without asking me! He could get along with anyone, that man."

At 100, Joan continues to live independently in her home, with the help of Home Support Workers who visit three to four times a day.

"I have no plans on leaving home anytime soon, I get everything I need here thanks to my girls and Resthaven."

Between her family and Resthaven, Joan is kept busy! However, she finds the time to catch up with her group of friends once a week.

"We’re all about the same age and have known each other for a long while. Every week we go to someone’s house to play cards and gossip - which is always good fun!"

Joan shares her words of wisdom to the younger generations, "I never smoked, and I never drank, except the occasional glass of wine. I was always lucky to have my good health and a beautiful family."

Joan celebrated her milestone birthday all week – first, with her group of friends, and then later, with her two daughters, grandchildren, and great-grandchildren.

Many happy returns, Mrs Payne.

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