By JOYCE MARSH WOODENBONG CORRESPONDENT.
FORMER Woodenbong resident Jean Maloney (nee McMillan), now of Tenterfield, celebrated her 90th birthday with two parties last week.
The first was with 50 guests held at her daughter’s property at Tenterfield and the other a luncheon in Woodenbong where her local family members and friends joined with her including sisters Marg Pethers, Joan Pethers and Dos Percival but sadly on the day their other sister Ivy Reid was unable to be present.
Talk about breeding them tough in these parts as two of the siblings are now nonagenarians.
Jean was married to the late Alan Maloney and lived at Woodenbong for many years; they had six children and now have 15 grandchildren, 19 great-grandchildren and one great-great-grandchild. Jean is now affectionately named ‘Gratie’.
She is still living an active lifestyle, a great cook which attracts many visitors, mad keen gardener having a large vegetable patch and decorative floral garden with a love of roses.
“I played golf for years, but I am just too busy for that now,” she said.
Jean remains mobile with the use of mobility scooter, so no holding her back.
She was fortunate to reach her 90th birthday as recently she was picking strawberries in her garden when she was struck at by a brown snake narrowly missing her face.
The snake catcher that came to her aid said: “Had the snake bitten her she would not have survived to get to hospital.”
The secret is out as to the fact that Jean loves frogs and fittingly both celebrations featured decorated frog inspired cakes lovingly made by family members.
