Logan City local Eve Garner has recently celebrated a milestone birthday and she said the key to living a fulfilled life was to love and listen.
The 100th birthday celebrations were at Blue Care Bethania Haven Aged Care Facility, where she was gifted her letter from the Queen.
Eve being given her letter from the Queen. (Photo used with permission).
Federal member for Forde Bert Van Manen attended her party, and delivered her letter.
Eve said it was all she ever wanted.
“I love the Queen and all I’ve ever wanted for my birthday was my letter from her,” she said.
Eve was born in 1921 in Aldershot, Hampshire England on March 12, she has six siblings and is the youngest.
At the beginning of World War Two she joined the WAAF and worked in the transport division driving trucks, ambulances, and a variety of other vehicles while serving.
She said serving in the war was a huge part of her life.
“I come from a military family,” Eve said.
“My father served and so did my brothers and my sisters’ husbands.
“I learnt so much in my time serving and have many memories.”
After leaving her service she went and worked as a nanny in Lee on the Solent, Gosport Hampshire England.
While working in Lee, Eve met the ‘love of her life’ Bill Garner. He was a former RAF pilot.
Eve and Bill married in April 1949. In April 1951 they had their first child Jill, and their second Peter in November 1952.
The Garners established a family home in Gosport where Bill worked as a motor mechanic, and Eve worked at a children’s home. Eve expressed her love for children and animals.
During her life she enjoyed making flower arrangements and belonged to many community women’s groups. She also loved to travel and spent time in Canada, New Zealand, and Australia while still living in England.
In 1996 at the age of 75 Eve made the brave decision to immigrate to Australia. She wanted to be closer to her children, who with their families had immigrated in the early 1990s. She settled in Logan City’s Springwood near her children’s homes.
For her 85th birthday Eve took a flight in a Tiger Moth, the same aircraft her late husband had trained in for the war.
Following a short illness at the age of 95, Eve made to decision to transfer into care after living independently for 20 years in Australia.
Eve on the motorcycle with her son Peter. (Photo used with permission)
Eve said she has lived a very fulfilling life and feels blessed to be surrounded by so much family. She has two children, five grandchildren, and eight great grandchildren. Her son Peter lives very close by and visited for her 100th birthday. He even surprised her with her first ever a ride on a motorcycle.
After her 100 years, Eve said she believed life was about love and listening.
“Love is everything,” she said.
“And you need to listen. It’s important to keep an open mind to learn as much as possible.
“I’ve lived a great life but I’m also very happy here.”
Staff at the Bethania Haven aged care facility said Eve participated in all of their activities and was particularly fond of reading, sewing, and playing scrabble.
