BLIND WOMAN AGED 90

Press, Volume XCIX, Issue 29219, 1 June 1960, Page 2

BLIND WOMAN AGED 90

“Hard Work For Happy Life”

Mrs Elizabeth Shannon, of Christchurch, who is 90 years old. believes hard work is the secret of a long and happy life. A resident of “Fernwood,” the New Zealand Foundation for the Blind hostel, Mrs Shannon celebrated her birthday yesterday with a large pink cake, a party, presents, flowers and telegrams. She was “thrilled to bits” with her birthday and enjoyed every moment of the day’s excitement. "As long as my health lasts I’ll look forward to many more,” she said. Born at Hokitika, Mrs Shannon lived on the West Coast for more than 70 years. The early days of her married life were spent living in a two-roomed house near a mining camp as her husband was a gold-miner. “We knew some hard times then,” she said, “and I really had to work hard. That is why I am so well now, I suppose.”

Every morning Mrs Shannon rises promptly at 7 a.m. and even though she is blind, manages to dress herself. She also copes quite competently with her own washing. Before she went to live at “Fernwood” three weeks ago, she was never in bed earlier than 10 p.m.

As a bride she spent longer hours on housework and today looks back on those years with some satisfaction. “I had none of these modern luxuries to help me,” she remarked. “That’s why, although I wouldn’t wish that sort of life on a young housewife today, I think most young people have too much money and take too many things for granted in life”

When the reporter called to see her, Mrs Shannon was chatting to her niece (Mrs F. Shannon) She was also waiting to see her young brother—“ He’s only 82 years’ old.” Her room at “Fern wood," which is attractively decorated in shades of pale lime, green and grey, were filled with the perfume of spring flowers that were special birthday greetings from friends and the family. There was a pile of telegrams to be read as they arrived and in the dining room nearby a giant birthday cake, iced pink with a lucky horseshoe and 90 candles on it. Last Sunday evening the other residents and the matron held a party for Mrs Shannon and made it a surprise function. “I usually celebrate my birthday in one way or another,” she said, “but nothing as grand as this one. It has been wonderful." Asked whether a woman should or should not tell her true age always, Mrs Shannon said laughing: “I don’t care who knows mine. The others call me Queen Elizabeth because that is my name and I am the oldest here.”