Centenarian Grace has lived ‘big life’

Grace Martin says she’s lived a “big life” in her 100 years.

Born in 1924, the sprightly mother of three celebrated her centenary birthday last week with friends and family.

“Mum and dad always relayed to us children that the most important thing is people,” says her son Allan.

With six grandkids, seven great-grandkids, and another on the way, Grace says the secret to a long life is staying active.

“I always kept active in sport,” she says.  “I played baseball, basketball, and I went swimming a lot.”

Grace was born in her family home in Dunedin on January 26, 1924, and moved to Nelson 66 years ago with her own young family in tow.

Her husband Rupert had got a job clearing the gorse and pasture establishment from the Moutere Hills to the Waimea Plains.

In the farmhouse, Grace became a local celebrity of sorts for the food she’d put on for the workers.

“They loved coming to my farm for afternoon and morning tea,” Grace says. “Oh, and a hot lunch every day.”

Her scones and pikelets were so good that Transport Nelson Limited, who Rupert worked for, would host a board meeting once a year around her kitchen table. It was also used as a form of punishment, with a memorable incident where their dressing pilot forgot to close the hopper as he passed over the house and Grace hanging up her washing, deluging her and the clean clothes in fertiliser.

“I put a note in his afternoon tea and if he did it again he’d never get any more,” she laughs.

After retirement, Grace and Rupert got 10 acres in the Redwood Valley and started a coloured sheep purebred farm.

The sheep skins and wool were popular, with US President Jimmy Carter sending a letter of thanks after they gifted him some skins during a visit by his brother.

Grace was widowed three decades ago and moved into the city with her brother to live in Richmond.

At that time, she became a member of the Holy Trinity Church, which Allan says has been like a second family.

In more recent years, she’s moved into Oakwoods Retirement Village and has embedded herself in the community.

That’s always been Grace’s attitude, keeping busy and keeping healthy, says Allan.

“She’s always been active. A few years ago, she said we didn’t catch up enough, and I said I’d come for lunch.”

But as they went through the list of what days might work, it became apparent that Grace would have to fit her son in between her other hobbies and commitments.

“If you wanted to go see Mum, you have to make an appointment,” he laughs.

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