It's plain sailing for Queenie at 103

by Carly Gibbs

She's sailed the seven seas, raised four sons and credits her long life to kruschen salts.

Frances Ida Alexander or "Queenie" as she's known, turned 103 this week, and while she shrugged it off as nothing extraordinary, this little lady, who lives in Malyon Rest Home and Hospital, is not your average great-grandma.

She's a dab hand at bowls, bingo and balloon tennis, is always up for a good old natter and, if you look inside her walking frame compartment, you'll find a secret stash of her favourite treat - ginger chocolate.

Born in 1908, Queenie credits her longevity and remarkable good health - she's still able to walk around the block - to keeping busy, having a "marvellous" family and taking kruschen salts - "just a little bit" - on a teaspoon every morning.

She said at 103 she was "satisfied and contented" with her life and while her eyesight and hearing aren't good, she keeps a positive attitude.

Her birthday, on Thursday, wasn't celebrated with great fanfare.

"All the family came in, my sons took me out to lunch and we had a cup of coffee in the lounge and a talk. I didn't have anything special."

Her eldest son is 80 and the "baby" in his late 60s.

She was born in Inglewood, Taranaki, then shifted to Te Kauwhata and married the late Rex Victor Alexander.

The couple moved to Island Block and then Katikati in 1950.

Queenie was president of the Women's Division of Federated Farmers for eight years, and lived in Katikati until September, 2006 when she shifted into Malyon House.

Asked if she had some good friends at her rest home, she replied: "I love them all."

She may be the eldest resident by three years but doesn't think about being old.

"I just go along. I had a very busy life and worked hard on my father's orchard and then milked cows.

"I tell you now, I have a marvellous family and it's them that's kept me going ... and I have four lovely daughters-in-law."

Queenie is a grandmother to 12 and a great-grandmother to 14. She is one of eight children - six are still alive, and one is 102.

Her husband died when he was 79 but she keeps memories of him active in her head.

"When we retired we had one trip around the world. We visited 27 countries and sailed the seven seas, so I think that was a pretty good holiday.

"I can close my eyes now and still see it all."


http://www.bayofplentytimes.co.nz