CELEBRATING her 101st birthday yesterday, Waratah-born Nell Johnston was joined by all five of her children, none of whom live in Tamworth.
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The Cottage Homes resident, who has called Tamworth home for most of her married life, told The Leader her finest achievement was “keeping all of my children out of jail”.
There’s nothing wrong with Nell’s sense of humour, and for a woman past her centennial year, she’s extremely bright and active, still going out to play cards at least once a week.
Born Nellie Higgins, she was the youngest of three children, and was always called “Little Nell”, which annoyed her no end.
Now, her youngest son also objects to being referred to as “and Brian”, empathising with his mum’s plight.
She met her husband, Reg Johnston, a Tamworth local, while he was working in Newcastle at Zara St power station.
Shortly after their marriage, they moved to Tamworth, where their five children – Michael, Fay, Maureen, Jeanette and Brian (sorry, Brian) – were born.
Her husband worked for PG Smith and Regan, which later became the Myer store in Tamworth.
Reg passed away in 1993 at the age of 87, and Nell said the undertaker was watching her as she stood by his casket, telling Reg he’d promised to always look after her, now he had gone and left her alone.
“I think the undertaker believed it wouldn’t be long before he had me as a client, but he was very much mistaken,” Nell said, with a laugh.
Nell’s family has now grown to include 14 grandchildren and 21 great-grandchildren, with the 22nd great-grandchild expected by year’s end.