Connie's 100 years of joy

ROZ DAVENPORT

Connie was born in Blenheim 100 years ago today at Mrs Inkersell's Nursing Home, the second oldest of four children.

Her stories of her early years are filled with memories of a happy life in Blenheim, bicycle rides, hall dances and fresh flowers each night on the family's dining table.

Connie biked to all the dances, fondly remembering with giggles the time she came off her bike entering the Beaver Rd shortcut bridge.

"My beautiful blue floral frock was torn. Mum was a great dressmaker so she mended it and you couldn't see where it had happened."

Connie has had numerous trips overseas, her first venture being to England by boat when she was in her mid-forties. Travelling with a girlfriend, they worked their way around the United Kingdom for 12 months.

Her working career as a sales assistant started at the age of 15 in Blenheim at Findlay's chemist opposite the Criterion Hotel. Over the years she stayed in the industry, working at Maurey's Chemist, UFS Dispensary, and then Mortimer's, until retirement.

Connie's bicycle was her major form of transport during her working life. She lived in McLauchlan St with her mother, biking to work and home for lunch each day. She doesn't consider the biking as exercise, being more concerned it made her muscles bigger at the top of her legs.

At the age of 60 she passed her drivers licence test and on a "dreadful wet day" bought a 1962 Morris Minor 1000, and parked up her bicycle to be used for pleasure rides only.

Connie's niece, Raewyn Parker, recalls Aunty Con driving the Morris Minor to Kaikoura, Nelson and the coast for adventures with her friends.

Gardening has always been a passion of Connie's.

"I was an avid gardener, and still would be if I could bend down and do things. I exhibited roses successfully at times over the years.

"I have always had flowers around me, even when we were growing up we never sat at the table without a vase of flowers. If we didn't have anything to put in the vase mum would say to me `go out and see what you can find'."

Connie has dabbled in craftwork through the years, gifting beautiful pieces of tapestry work to family members, says Raewyn.

"She is still knitting socks on four needles, so every birthday and Christmas my husband and my brother and sister-in-law receive lovely woollen socks."

On first meeting Connie I was in awe of her almost wrinkle free, glowing and youthful complexion. When asked about the secret to her beautiful complexion, she looks almost coy and then starts to giggle.

"People have often remarked on my skin when I worked in the chemist.

"However, I didn't use anything for a while until I started working in the chemists and could get a staff discount. There was something about Coty's, and I guess you could say I used to push it to the customers. Mr Mortimer said he should be calling me Miss Coty, however you can't buy that anymore.

"Over the years there have been dozen of different brands and dozens of different prices. I didn't buy the cheap ones it is like wines, you see cheap bottles of wine and I will think to myself `that must be dreadful stuff'.

"I never bought the dearest creams either. If a cream or a lotion pulls on your skin it is not for you. It has to go on smoothly."

Connie has a tip for those watching their pennies during the recession.

"Johnson's Baby Moisturiser, which is less than five dollars is just beautiful," laughs Connie.

Connie has never looked her age, and tells a story about paying to go the cinema when younger.

"My mother and father had to watch their money carefully yet we were allowed to go to the pictures for threepence. I went with a girl next door and she was the same age as me. My friend paid sixpence because she looked older. I only paid threepence, you see, I had long hair and had two plaits so I looked younger", she laughs. "I only paid threepence for a number of years."

As well as looking younger, Connie cheats the wear and tear of time. She is still living independently, enjoys numerous trips out each week, and constantly entertains her extended family with stories full of laughter as she recalls good times and adventures through the decades.

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- The Marlborough Express