Werribee resident and great-great grandmother Violet Walsh will celebrate her 101st birthday in April. 77014 Picture: DAMJAN JANEVSKI
By ALESHA CAPONE
AT 100 years old, Violet Walsh epitomises the saying, ‘Don’t worry, be happy’.
The Werribee centurion, who was born on 11 April 1911 in Footscray, is eagerly anticipating her 101st birthday – along with her daughter Joan Feehan, two granddaughters, two great-granddaughters and two great-great grandchildren.
Ms Feehan credited her mother’s positive outlook as the possible secret of her long life.
“I would say with Mum’s attitude, she just got on with it and just accepted the way things were,” she said.
“She never worried over things she couldn’t change.”
Mrs Walsh said her daughter “worries about everything”.
“But if it’s going to happen, it’s going to happen,” she said.
“Everything’s great.”
Mrs Walsh is a resident of Glendale Aged Care in Werribee, which is owned by Lend Lease, but she lived most of her life in Brooklyn with husband George.
“During World War II, George volunteered as a soldier and as mum had a single child, she was called up to work in an ammunition factory, although she stayed there for many years after the war,” Ms Feehan said.
“She was one of five siblings. Her mum died when she was nine, and they were all brought up individually by aunties and family members.
“They always stayed close even though they were split up.”
Mrs Walsh’s older brothers and sisters all lived until their late 80s and early 90s.
Ms Feehan said her Mum enjoyed bowling with the Footscray RSL, until a broken hip at 88 stopped her. She lived alone until 92, after her husband passed away during his 70s.
“She’s seen two world wars, decimal currency, going from horse and buggies to motorised vehicles, computers and Ipads,” Ms Feehan said.
