BEN CURRAN\/Fairfax NZ <\/p>\n
108 TIMES A LADY: Gwen McGuire was born in 1904 and says the secret to staying happy and healthy is to live your life. <\/p>\n
Gwen McGuire was surrounded by some of the great loves of her life yesterday - family, friends, music and flowers - in a fitting tribute to her 108th birthday. <\/p>\n
Mrs McGuire is believed to be the oldest woman in the Waikato, perhaps New Zealand, and was up bright and early for her special birthday party. \"I had a lovely day, yes,\" she said. <\/p>\n
Born in Karangahake in 1904, Mrs McGuire has lived through a lot. A brief list includes two world wars, a depression, and women first becoming eligible to stand for Parliament. She also married and had two children. <\/p>\n
Through it all Mrs McGuire has been a picture of good health. Although she is a little hard of hearing, she is in otherwise fine form, spending her days in her Te Aroha nursing home singing and listening to music. <\/p>\n
\"She has a very sharp mind and keeps all of us on her toes,\" says the executive nurse manager of the Kenwyn Nursing Home, Katherine McLeod. <\/p>\n
\"She is all smiles and elegance and is very musical. She can't play the piano anymore but she still loves to sing.\" <\/p>\n
Mrs McGuire was treated to a special morning tea for her big day, and family from overseas sent her 108 carnations - her favourite flower - for her room. <\/p>\n
She is notoriously tight-lipped when it comes to the secret of a long and healthy life, Mrs McLeod says. <\/p>\n
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\nWoman, 108, says longevity comes naturally<\/a><\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"