STAYING patient and not getting angry or irritable is the secret to living a long life.
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Those are the words from Bunbury woman Mary Birch who celebrated her 100th birthday on April 9.
“Patience keeps you well, just be patient,” said Ms Birch.
Residing at Bunbury Garden’s aged care home on Hayes Street, Ms Birch spent the day surrounded by friends and family celebrating the milestone.
She said she was honoured to have received letters from Queen Elizabeth, Prime Minister Tony Abbott and Governor General Peter Cosgrove and a visit from Bunbury Mayor Gary Brennan who came with pink flowers and well wishes.
With one daughter, one grandchild and two great grandchildren, Ms Birch has spent her life living in Kalgoorlie and Perth’s suburb Spearwood before moving to Bunbury to be closer to her only daughter Valma Mahon.
Ms Mahon said her mother lived a life full of kindness.
“She has always been helpful to everyone, that was her thing in life,” Ms Mahon said.
Ms Birch came from Yugoslav decent and she was born in Boulder in 1915 before spending her teenage years in Spearwood before marrying.
“Then she shifted to Naval Base Kwinana and then into North Fremantle about 50 years ago,” said Ms Mahon.
“She separated from her husband when I was 12 which was quite a drama in those days so she was quite independent and always looked after me and was very practical.”
Photos from days gone by decorated the room so those in attendance could see the long and fulfilling life lived by the centenarian.
One photo admired by most showed Ms Birch playing in a sandpit with young relatives at the age of 85.
“She has always been so active and even only two years ago when she was still living in North Fremantle she used to catch the bus into Fremantle to get her hair done once a week,” Ms Mahon said.
