MOTHER of eight and Thornlands resident Elma Rihu has celebrated her 100th birthday.
Elma was born in Mantyharju, Finland, on September 17, 1916.
Her daughter Anna-Maija Rihu said her mother was one of 10 children and was the only surviving child left.
She grew up in Finland and worked in a general store.
“Elma has eight children, 11 grand children and 5 great grand children,’’ Ms Rihu said.
She was first married in 1938 but then widowed and married again in 1946.
Ms Rihu said her mother arrived in Victoria in 1970 and moved to Balmoral in Brisbane three months later.
She retired at 63 after working at the Mater Hospital in the laundry department.
She lived for 26 years at Tingalpa on Brisbane’s eastside and then moved to Wakerley to live with her daughter who is her full time carer.
Up to 2013 Elma was living at home with a part-time carer.
Elma celebrated with family and friends at the Poro Cafe at the Finncare retirement home, Thornlands.
