103, still in good spirit | News | Kawerau

103, still in good spirit

20 March 2015

SPECIAL DAY: Brian and John Tulloch sit either side of their mother, May Tulloch, during a birthday celebration.
Photo supplied

A POSITIVE attitude, plenty of exercise and a good sense of humour are May Tulloch’s secrets to reaching her 103rd birthday this week.

Mountain View rest home hosted music and dancing as part of a St Patrick ’s Day-themed celebration to mark the special occasion on Tuesday morning.

Mrs Tulloch turned 103 on Monday but the green-filled Tuesday party was well suited to the daughter of two Irish parents.

Her granddaughter Nen Tulloch said Mrs Tulloch moved to Kawerau shortly before her 100th birthday to be closer to her daughter, son and grandchildren living in the Eastern Bay.

She raised four sons and one daughter on a farm near Masterton before moving into town to retire with her late husband.

Ms Tulloch said her grandmother’s answer to a long life was healthy eating, regular exercise, positive thinking and she never smoked cigarettes or drank alcohol.

Aged 90, Mrs Tulloch often walked several kilometres to the supermarket to buy her groceries.

When Ms Tulloch asked her grandmother when she was going to give up these long trips on foot Mrs Tulloch replied “when I’m old”.

Ms Tulloch said the staff at Mountain View who cared for her grandmother were excellent.

She said her grandmother still had a great sense of humour and was always singing.

Mountain View activities co-ordinator Lofty Smith said Mrs Tulloch was the oldest resident at the rest home and a real inspiration.

She said the 103-year-old had an amazing spirit and still came to singalong events.

For her birthday, Mrs Tulloch received cards from senders, including prime minister John Key and senior citizens minister Maggie Barry, and Kawerau Mayor Malcolm Campbell sent her a bunch a flowers.

In her card, Mrs Barry said she and Mrs Tulloch shared the same Christian and middle names – Margaret Mary.

A number of Mrs Tulloch’s children and grandchildren from the Eastern Bay attended the event and her son Brian Tulloch travelled from Perth for the occasion.

Source: Whakatane Beacon