90 and still going strong

By Dion Teasdale
HEALESVILLE resident Hettie Parry celebrated her 90th birthday last week with family and friends with a cake smothered in icing and candles.
Mrs Parry, a resident of Holmwood Aged Care Facility, said she was delighted to be surrounded on such a special occasion by people who support and care for her.
“It is wonderful having some many lovely people here offering their love and support,” she said.
“I want to thank everyone from the bottom of my heart for helping me celebrate this special day.”
Mrs Parry, who first came to Healesville during her honeymoon, and moved to the town in the late 1970s, said she was looking forward to celebrating further with her family.
Her two daughters, Dott Smith, from Sydney, and Joan Houghton, from Wandin, and her five grandchildren, will gather at the Healesville Senior Citizens Hall for a birthday lunch at the weekend.
“It will be wonderful to see the grandchildren and if they want to play, I’ll play with them,” Mrs Parry said.
Mrs Parry said not drinking or smoking, and taking good care of your health, were the keys to a long and happy life.
Her daughter, Ms Smith, said she was pleased to see her mother doing so well.
“It’s great to see mum has settled in so well here at Holmwood and that she is so healthy,” she said.
Mrs Parry, who only moved into Holmwood in November last year, said she had made many new friends and was looking forward to celebrating her 100th birthday in 10 years’ time.