104 YEARS OLD

Press, Volume CIII, Issue 30633, 26 December 1964, Page 16

104 YEARS OLD

Mrs E. Gilmour Of Ashburton Christmas Day was a double celebration for Mrs E. Gilmour, of 76 Oxford street, Ashburton, who is one of the oldest persons in New Zealand. Yesterday was her one hundred and fourth birthday, and she celebrated it with her daughter, two grandchildren, and seven great-grandchild-ren. Many friends and wellwishers called on her throughout the day, and there was a constant stream of flowers, cards, telegrams, and telephone calls to the house.

Mrs Gilmour lived until recently with her daughter, Mrs R. J. Blee, at Ashton. They then moved to Ashburton. Mrs Blee said her mother, although blind for the last

few years, kept in very good health and was fairly active. She often accompanied her daughter on car trips. She attended the eightieth anniversary of the Flemington church recently. Mrs Gilmour was born in Glasgow in 1860 and came to New Zealand, unaccompanied, at the age of 16. She settled in Dunedin at first, but later came to Ashburton where she was married in 1899, taking up residence at her husband's farm at Kelvin Grove, Ashton. Mrs Gilmour has taken an active interest in community affairs, especially in Red Cross work. During the two world wars she did much valuable work for the society in the district. A foundation member of the Ashburton branch of the British Sailors’ Society Mrs Gilmour was elected a life member many years ago. She is also a member of the Presbyterian church. Her husband died in 1940.