Despite the possibility Jean Thornton could have been one of the first Australians to receive a birthday letter from King Charles, the 100-year-old was happy to celebrate with a scrumptious slice of a cake and the comforting presence of her two children instead.
Born in Footscray on November 21, 1922, the centenarian now resides at Mercy Place Wyndham Aged Care Centre.
“We looked at the possibility of a letter from Buckingham Palace but realised we’d left things a little too late,” her daughter Pam Loriente said.
“She won’t worry, mum calls a spade a spade and she is just as likely to ask why she would want a letter from the king anyway, that’s her personality.”
Ms Thornton has since lost her hearing, but Ms Loriente says her mother is a very good lip reader, who has also undergone two lots of hip surgery, subsequently effecting her mobility.
Despite Ms Thornton’s own health struggles, Ms Loriente believes her mother’s greatest achievement and devotion in life has been to her son, Geoffery Stephen.
“I think having her son, Geoffrey, who was born with cerebral palsy, living with her at Mercy Place Wyndham has been a key to keeping mum going year after year,” Ms Loriente said.
“Geoffrey had issues with his legs, with one shorter than the other, which led to surgeries and constant follow-up care.”
Geoffrey worked for the disability service Yooralla for many years, but when he retired, he was home more, which Ms Loriente said says put additional pressure on Ms Thornton as she was ageing.
“She stayed with him for as long as she could but eventually they both needed 24-hour care and it is wonderful that they are still together in the same aged care home,” Ms Loriente said.
The Mercy Place Wyndham Lifestyle team, led by Anjali Modi, organised a cake, decorations and balloons to help celebrate Ms Thornton’s milestone.
“Anjali and the team have been wonderful to mum and Geoffrey, and as a small family, we are thrilled that her life could be celebrated with such a lovely occasion,” Ms Loriente said.
