Loving and humble Anne celebrates 100th birthday

“You are our hero mum and we love you dearly” was the sentiment at Anne Pratt’s 100th birthday function last week.

Anne celebrated her century milestone with her family – including three children, five grandchildren and eight grandchildren – at Merne at Lighthouse in Drysdale.

Her only grandson Nic and his wife flew over from Estonia, while her granddaughter Anna, her husband and four children travelled from Western Australia. Daughter Joan described her mum as compassionate, loving, humble, placid, gracious, charming and polite.

“These are words that have been used to describe the beautiful person that you are mum over all these years and to this day they still apply,” Joan said during the birthday function.

“You have been a loving, caring and muchloved daughter to Annie and Jo McGonigal, and a wonderful sibling to your seven siblings.”

Joan said her mum was the second youngest of eight siblings whose childhood was spent on a farm in Lara, she attended Flinders Peak School until merit level and only had one teacher, Mr Firth, throughout her schooling.

“You were such a loving and very supportive wife to Vic for 54 years during which time you and dad achieved so much.

“You have been a simply wonderful mother to Harry, Graham and I and a gracious mother-in-law to Coralee.

“You are a much adored nana to your five fabulous grandchildren and their partners and you have always made time to listen to them and support them in so many ways.

“Your eight great grandchildren also adore you.” Joan said her mum – who resides at Arcare Point Lonsdale – still had the ability to create an air of serenity which allowed them to escape the madding crowd and just be.

“We are always greeted with warmth and a big smile,” she said.

“You just love to hear about the comings and goings of all family and friends.”

Anne has been challenged health wise in the past 18 years, starting with back surgery just a few month after Vic passed away.

“What you have shown us all is that working through these challenges is incredible resilience,” Joan said.

“Mind you there were a couple of hip surgeries as a result of your determination to be independent and more around unassisted for which we did have a very grudging admiration.

“Who else has a 100-year-old mother who insisted putting on her lipstick for her ambulance ride back to Arcare from hospital last year?

“You are our hero mum and we love you dearly.”