Off the Record: All smiles as Albany’s Dorothy Evans celebrates her 102nd birthday in style

Dressed in her favourite shade of pink and a tiara fit for royalty, Albany’s Dorothy Evans celebrated her 102nd birthday last week.

Residents and staff from Annie Bryson McKeown Aged Care marked the massive milestone over a piece of cake and a cuppa on Thursday.

Ms Evans was born in England in 1920 — eight years before all British women aged 21 and over were given the right to vote.

She has been a witness to a staggering amount of change.

The mother of two and grandmother of one worked as a beauty therapist, and enjoyed regular games of tennis and golf in her younger years.

Annie Bryson McKeown Aged Care administrative assistant Bronwyn Harrison said Ms Evans was loved by all at the centre, and was always willing to join in a celebration.

“She is a very gentle woman but she can be stern when she needs to,” she said.

“Like all of our residents here, they are like family to us, and a couple of the carers refer to her as Nanna.

“She is a lovely lady and it is a privilege to have her here and to be able to take care of her in her later years.”

Ms Evans’ birthday festivities ran all week, with visits from relatives and friends.

There were also trips into town for coffee and a picnic.

As regular readers would know, Off the Record has developed a penchant for asking centenarians for the secrets to their longevity.

In this case, the staff at Annie Bryson McKeown Aged Care had already been there and done that.

“I did ask Dorothy one time, how did you get to live this long?” Ms Harrison said.

“And she said just by being myself and being cheeky to everybody — by living a good lifestyle and a happy lifestyle.”