MAREBELLO aged care resident Clare Terlier will celebrate her 100th birthday with friends and family at a party on Saturday.
Stepson Paul Terlier, who has called Ms Terlier his mother since he was a week old, said healthy eating and a positive outlook on life had contributed to her longevity.
"She does everything right," he said. "She does not get upset about things and just takes everything as it goes."
Mr Terlier said Ms Terlier met his father while working as a baby carer after World War II.
"She gave up her life to look after me so I appreciate that," Mr Terlier said.
"She always put me first."
The daughter of an Armidale cattle farmer, Ms Terlier dedicated her life to the Country Women's Association.
During World War II she spent six months as a volunteer in Papua New Guinea and served as a Regimental Aid Post sergeant in Sydney during 1944.
She spent nine years as a resident of Lamb Island and three on Macleay Island before moving into aged care at Marebello in 2016.
Mr Terlier said she kept herself busy by reading the odd book.
He said she remained upbeat and had not lost her sense of humour or positivity in her old age.
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