No secret, just luck says Jill

Bribie Island centenarian Phyllis (Jill) Pape is counting down the days to her 101st birthday, putting her long life down to “pure luck”.

The Bolton Clarke Bribie Cove resident is set to celebrate on Saturday (February 22) with her daughter Jacqui Valkhoff, her grandchildren and great grandchildren.

“I didn’t think much about living to 100 because none of my family did and I’m really surprised I’m still here to be perfectly honest!” Jill says.

“I don’t think there is a secret, I think it’s just luck.”

The active centenarian moved into residential aged care three months ago and was still driving until she was 93.

Birthday cruise

“Jill always helped me in the garden and we celebrated her 100th birthday on a cruise,” Jacqui says.

“She has always said to me and our family that she believes you have to give a little in any relationship, you cannot always want your own way.

“She has always been well cared for and she grew up on a small farm eating a lot of fresh produce.”

Growing up in London through World War II, Jill started her working career at the age of 15 when she enlisted in the Army.

“The war broke out almost immediately when I went to London to start working, so I thought ‘well what am I going to do?’,” Jill says.

"Added to my age"

“So, I added a couple of years to my age and joined up working on the telephones - and I enjoyed every moment.

“That’s when I met my husband Ed (Edwin) – he drove the tanks and we met at Aldershot, where I was stationed.

“After we met, he went abroad so I didn’t see him for three years, but we wrote to one another and when he came back, in 1946, we married.”

With less than two weeks until Jill adds another year as a centenarian, her sense of humour and dry wit is still as sharp as ever when asked if she is looking forward to the celebrations.

“Well, I’d better make sure I’m here for the day then shouldn’t I, if the whole family is coming?” she grins.