Bibby’s big birthday bash
By: JUDITH WILLIAMS - Rodney Times
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Although her ancestors were among Puhoi's first Bohemian founders, it was to her childhood home of Mangawhai that Bibby Cotter’s memories increasingly returned as her 100th birthday approached.
And Waiwera people featured largely in the celebrations.
Gretchen Elizabeth "Bibby" Cotter was born on January 18, in the year Halley’s Comet passed overhead, at Mangawhai where the family owned the local hotel.
She often talks about the big boys who threatened to push the smaller children down the slippery approach to the little school, now closed, where she received her primary education. She then boarded at the Convent of the Sacred Heart, now Baradene, in Auckland, where she later worked.
Things were not always handed to Bibby on a plate, and she sometimes struggled to bring up her daughter and son with the help of her aunt Rosa Christmann.
A shift to Greenlane, however, saw the start of 25 happy years of suburban and parish life, until in 1976, when her children had left home, she made her retirement home in Waiwera where the family has holidayed for four generations.
It was in Waiwera that many lasting friendships grew between the bach owners and holidaymakers on the old camping ground, now Riverhaven.
Long and happy hours were spent, too, with her youngest sister Alma Schischka on her farm Rosedale at Wenderholm.
In almost 35 years at Wai-wera she has been a foundation member of, or involved in, the Silverdale and Puhoi historical and herb societies, the Friends of Couldrey House, the Elderly People’s Luncheon Club and the Hibiscus Coast Catholic Parish, and now takes an active interest in Mangawhai’s historical society and its new museum .
Not to mention joining with the "Friday night ladies" at Woody’s Bar and Grill at Waiwera.
Bibby continues to live in her own home, supported by relatives, Rodney Health services, and her Waiwera friends.
Mid-January was a hectic time for Bibby, who celebrated her 100th birthday with an afternoon tea for 124 people, including her two sisters, at Northridge Country Lodge, followed by another large celebration at Woody’s.
Fairly tired out by all the attention, Bibby vows this time she really does need to go into serious "retirement".
