A great-grandmother who is a former fashion model and video shop owner has celebrated 100 years of life, love, laughter, and cherished memories with friends and family.
Helen Whitney, a resident of the Carinity Cedarbrook aged care home on the Gold Coast, turned 100 on July 2.
She was born in Smithton, in north-west Tasmania, to Eric and Edith Anthony in 1926. Helen was one of 13 children: seven boys and six girls.
Growing up she attended schools in Latrobe, near Devonport in Tasmania, and loved to play netball. Her first job was at Smith’s Milk Bar in Latrobe.
At 21 years of age, Helen married the love of her life, John Henry Whitney. They were married on 17 January 1948 at the Church of England in Devonport.
Helen and John welcomed their first-born daughter the same year. The couple went on to have a further five children.
John and his brother Maurice owned and operated a fish and chip shop in Devonport where Helen often helped out. She also worked as a receptionist at Robinsons Photography Studio.
Helen loved knitting and gardening and in more recent years has enjoyed reading gossip magazines, especially stories about the British royal family. She has always been passionate about fashion.
“Helen loved fashion and always dressed and presented immaculately. Her love of fashion led to her modelling for fashion boutiques across Tasmania and later in Toowoomba,” her daughter Annette Green said.
Helen’s love of dressing up for an occasion extended to her love of ballroom dancing, a passion she shared with her late husband. They attended many balls held in old town halls around the district. Helen was often voted ‘matron of the night’.
After living in Devonport for a number of years, John’s work transferred him to Smithton, near the north-western tip of Tasmania, where they resided for five years and forged life-long friendships.
The family spent many summer holidays in Noosa, where the time was spent lazing around the pool, water skiing or fishing.
In retirement, Helen and John moved to the Gold Coast and spent the remainder of their time together enjoying the beautiful beaches and watching their family expand to include eight grandchildren and four great-grandchildren.
“Helen was a devoted wife to John and still is the most loving, caring mother and grandmother whose selfless spirit, kindness, and devotion to her family is unwavering,” Annette said.
“She is blessed with good genes but also lived a clean healthy lifestyle – and she loved her afternoon beer in the sun.”
Helen will celebrate her milestone 100th birthday with family and friends at Carinity Cedarbrook aged care, which has been her home for the past eight years.
