Daviot Kelly, Staff Reporter
Left: The birthday senior has a word with with Dr. Knox Hagley.
Right: Clara McGilchrist (second right) with her sisters (from left) Gloria Cooper, Mags Maxwell and Orma Groves.
CLARA MCGILCHRIST is probably the most bubbly person five years short of a century you'll ever meet. She doesn't walk with a stick, is more alert than you might expect and blessed with enough humour to cheer up a person on death row.
McGilchrist's family and friends (and after 95 years, she should have more than a few of both), threw her a birthday party on Tuesday, April 25, at the Terra Nova Hotel. This was a colourful affair with the usual balloons and cakes (no party hats though), plenty of good vibes and well wishes that Clara should stay with us even longer.
Don't think this was one of those parties where the guest of honour sat in the corner and waited for everyone to pass so they could shake hands. On the contrary, the birthday lady met every guest at the door, receiving her handshakes, pecks on the cheek and hugs from all who showed up.
Every single guest marvelled at the longevity of the guest of honour.
"She's just wonderful, isn't she? I don't know if I'm looking forward to 95 though," joked friend and neighbour, Jill Roberts. "She's probably aged a little in the last six months, but that's it," she continued.
"I'd love to look like that at age 65, much less 95," said another guest, shaking her head in envious wonder.
McGilchrist still does everything herself and though time inevitably has slowed her down, it hasn't stopped her from throwing the occasional afternoon tea at her home. So at 95 and very much alive, we had to ask, how does she do it?
"Oh, I don't know," she laughed at first, honestly trying to find some formula. And then she got a jolt of inspiration. "Just think positive and don't bother to look back," she concluded. Sounds like good advice.
Denese Eastwood (right) adds her congratulations to Clara McGilchrist who was celebrating her 95th birthday.
