KEEN pianist Hazel Grimstone likes nothing better than to nut out a cryptic crossword, keeps a busy social life going and likes to follow the story of champion racehorse Winx.
Hazel turns 100 soon and her family says she has lived a wonderful and busy life.
Hazel was born at Bundaberg on April 11, 1919, and spent her early days in several Queensland country towns as her bank manager father was transferred around the state.
She remembers a pet goat at Chinchilla and horse riding at Longreach, holidays at Bargara and enjoying fishing with her keen fisherman father.
Daughter Judy Sneyd said her mother's family was musical and her talent was nurtured early with piano lessons.
She was fortunate to find an excellent teacher in Chinchilla and later when she was enrolled at St Hilda's School at Southport.
Hazel performed in numerous concerts and was able to accompany her sister Doris's glorious soprano voice.
"Hazel achieved her letters in music at 16, but as Queensland had no Conservatorium of Music at the time, and moving to Sydney was out of the question, she re-joined her family at Longreach," Ms Sneyd said.
"The outcome was not all gloomy as there she found a handsome young bank officer, Len Grimstone. They married just before he set off on overseas service in WWII."
Her parents were then living in Toowoomba and she spent the war years there.
Daughter Judy was born in 1941, and a son John in 1945. Second son David arrived much later at Atherton in 1953.
Ms Sneyd said the war years with small children, a husband overseas in the thick of the fighting in North Africa, then in New Guinea were testing times.
After being demobbed, Len took up his bank career again and the family moved around the state and eventually to Melbourne and Canberra.
Hazel fitted into each new town, making friends, joining CWA, playing sports like tennis and golf, playing the organ at church, joining card groups, appearing in local musical productions, often as the pianist, and supporting Len in Apex and Rotary.
"She enjoyed a good party," Ms Sneyd said.
She said she came home from school once to find two ladies at the piano, belting out a fine Beethoven symphony.
Hazel's beloved Len died suddenly in 1980 just as they retired at the Gold Coast.
Hazel made a new life but was persuaded to move to Cleveland Gardens, Ormiston, in 1987, and she settled into life in the Redlands.
She enjoys the social life, playing cards, making music, playing for entertainments and conducting the choir.
"Hazel has overcome some serious health challenges and has fought through with spirit and determination," Ms Sneyd said. "Her three great-grandchildren are in awe of her years.
"She does crosswords, cryptic clues included, reads and watches the news.
"She enjoys the tennis and happily shares her opinions of the players and is avidly following the story of Winx. She enjoys outings to the shops and local clubs for lunch."
Hazel donated her piano to the Aveo Serviced Apartments complex where she lives and can sometimes be heard tickling the ivories when no one is around.
"Happy birthday Hazel. Your family salutes you," Ms Sneyd said.
