HAPPY birthday to Hawkesbury resident Valerie Mayfield (nee Baker), who turned 103 last week.
Valerie was born on May 2, 1915 – to put that in perspective, she was born seven days after the landing in Gallipoli.
Born and bred in inner Sydney, Valerie moved to a farm in Glossodia as a young bride with a young daughter; she had her second child, a son, in the maternity hospital in Windsor.
Not long after, Valerie and her family moved to Windsor. They purchased the milk run, delivering milk to the locals using horse and cart from the milk cans.
They moved out of the area when the children were teenagers, then Valerie returned to the Hawkesbury in 2000 when she purchased a home in Windsor.
In 2017, Valerie found a new home at Carol Allen House in Richmond where she now resides. She is cared for by staff, as well as family and friends who visit her daily.
Valerie is one of seven children. She has two children herself, five grandchildren and eight great-grandchildren.
She is well-travelled, and her family says she loves to talk of her adventures – including playing tennis with Rod Laver, kissing Tom Jones, and meeting Donald Trump!
Valerie’s 103rd birthday was celebrated with her family – including some family members who travelled as far as Taree for her special day. They thanked the staff at Carol Allen House for facilitating such a beautiful celebration for Valerie.