Audrey Chernoff with daughters Anthea Coney and Jane Ellingworth and granddaughters Miranda Barker and Genevieve Chambers.
Camera IconAudrey Chernoff with daughters Anthea Coney and Jane Ellingworth and granddaughters Miranda Barker and Genevieve Chambers. Credit: Supplied/Martin Kennealey d441884

Audrey gives 100 reasons to be proud

Lauren PedenJoondalup Times

It followed an afternoon tea at Woodlake Aged Care Kingsley where she now lives.

Daughter Jane Ellingworth said her mum had been "overwhelmed" by both parties and reaching the milestone birthday.

"She was actually blown away by reaching 100 because she had a fall last year in October and fractured her femur and had to have a heart operation before she could actually have the operation on her femur," Jane said.

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"She's come through this still very mentally alert, it's quite amazing, and she got to celebrate with family and especially seeing family that came from overseas and from the eastern states."

Audrey lived in Floreat and had four children with her husband Michael, who she married in 1939.

She now has nine grandchildren and 16 great grandchildren.

"Mum was born in Guildford and grew up there and then moved to Geraldton as a young child up until early high school and then she came back to Perth with her family and lived in Cottesloe," Jane said.

"She attended Perth Modern School and she did a secretarial course but times were tough, because she was coming into the Depression when she was in her late teens-early 20s, so she worked in various jobs and then married my dad.

"Mum didn't work after she got married but she did a lot of voluntary work and spent (20 years) volunteering at Royal Perth Hospital and Shenton Park rehabilitation."

She said Audrey was an amazing friend and supportive mother who was always around for her growing up.

"She's a very generous, gracious woman who's just always had a smile on her face and has just been a very caring person," Jane said.

"She's just an angel. As everyone said if you ever think of Audrey you couldn't think anything but a beautiful person inside and out."

Jane said her mum was known for her impeccable handwriting and love of calligraphy.