MARY Smith was surrounded by blue and gold as she celebrated her 100th birthday last month.
The avid West Coast Eagles fan was surprised with not only a card signed by Josh Kennedy and a video message recorded by Luke Shuey, but club legend Ross Glendinning also popped in to Meath Care in Kingsley to personally wish Mrs Smith a happy birthday and present her with an Eagles poster signed by Shannon Hurn.
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READ NOWBut the special messages didn’t stop there with the Home and Away fan also receiving a video message from Lynne McGranger.
“Nanna loved this and recognised ‘Irene’ straight away,” granddaughter Kylie Froud said.
Celebrations included a small morning tea with family on her actually birthday on Thursday, August 22 and a bigger party with about 50 guests including her two remaining sisters Beryl and Ronnie on the Sunday.
Mrs Smith is the eldest of nine children, growing up in Bullfinch, Southern Cross and Kalgoorlie as a gold mining family.
She married Frank Smith in Kalgoorlie then moved to Perth, living in Highgate and Doubleview before settling in Carine.
The pair was married for more than 50 years before Mr Smith passed away 25 years ago.
They had four children, Gloria, Lloyd, Patrick and Margaret, and she now has five grandchildren and six great-grandchildren.
In 2015, Mrs Smith was hospitalised after breaking her elbow, which saw her move to Meath Care in Kingsley.
Ms Froud said her grandmother’s passions were food, footy, Home and Away and most importantly, family.
“She loves all her family and has a number of visitors everyday; there has never been a day go by without at least someone visiting her,” she said.
“This also keeps her mind active. She has a very sharp mind and can remember every name and every birthday of all her family.
“She is the matriarch of our family and she is loved deeply.”
Mrs Smith puts her long life down to not smoking or drinking and being happy.