A centenarian in our midst - Happy Birthday Jacqui!

This week saw our most senior member turn 100 years old! 

Jacqui Jennings (nee Gladys Cooper) was born in Brecon, Wales UK, and lived her young years through the hardest of times - the Depression and WWII - surviving several serious childhood diseases and potentially disastrous mishaps. Many a time God looked after Jacqui: from severe food poisoning after a treat of non-refrigerated corner shop-made ice cream that brought the vicar to her bedside; to awakening just in time when, with no electricity, she found her bedside candle catching a curtain; and plenty in-between. There are some lovely stories too: looking down upon rolling fields of waving purple flowers (potato plants, essential food during the Depression) to, as a young woman, riding pillion through a freezing UK winter on icy roads to and from London, to dance at the Palais - bare-legged of course, except for stocking cream and a penciled line down the back. 

Jacqui married Derek Jennings in 1950 and 14 years later the family emigrated to Australia as '£10 poms'. In Sydney, when her children were grown and gone, Jacqui found work at Grace Brothers in Chatswood. With her inimitable spirit and intelligence (that we still witness at the bridge table), she soon rose through the ranks to manage accounts and banking. Upon retirement, she and Derek relocated to Forster where they had holidayed for decades. When her husband died in 2007, she moved into her current retirement villa. 

Jacqui celebrated her 100th birthday a week early, with a lunch for 42 family and friends. She is immensely proud of her 3 children, 8 grandchildren and 12 great grandchildren.

A keen bridge player, Jacqui joined our club over 40 years ago. Currently an ABF Life Member, she plays at least twice a week, driving herself to and from the clubhouse. Her energy and inner strength continue to be an inspiration to us all. We wish her many more happy birthdays!