THE LIFE STORY OF ANNIE SARGENT

The kitchen of the house in Hurstville had a fuel stove that kept the whole back of the house warm. Annie would cook delicious stews, soups and cakes; and on Sunday there would be a roast lunch. Sunday afternoon was a time for Annie to do the baking of pies and cakes for the morning teas and desserts of the week ahead. Annie was a good cook, and an accomplished seamstress. Annie sewed much of the families clothing including pants, dresses and petticoats. She once made a coat for her sister Marge out of a white blanket. Annie could also knit jumpers, cardigans and socks for the entire family. Jim would mend the family’s shoes. At night in bed Tim would leave the light on to read the paper before going to sleep, which led Annie to start reading for pleasure. Annie followed in her parent’s footsteps and was always kind to neighbours. When television first arrived in the 1950’s, Annie would invite a neighbour, Mrs Good, and her daughter’s friends into their home to watch programs with the family. For many years she cooked dinners for another neighbour who was a widower. She made deep connections with those whose lives she touched, and still receives a yearly Christmas card from her nephew who she met when he visited during the war in 1945 as part of the British Navy. He lives on the Isle of Wight and has sent the yearly Christmas card for over seventy years. Annie also cared for both her husband Tim and her father Jim throughout their lives and their final illnesses. Annie is a treasured part of her family, a resilient woman who is valued by all her family for her grace and many gifts. She has her own health problems, but Annie has lived as part of the community at

Oznam Villa now for almost twelve years. She passes her time reading and doing word puzzles. I was lucky enough to visit her on her 105 th birthday when she was surrounded by family celebrating her special day. Margaret, her elder daughter lives in Gympie and Jill, her younger daughter lives in Tweed Heads. Annie has four grandchildren, Vicki, Kerry, Warren and Nicole; eight great grandchildren, Kelly, Elise, Emma, Jake, Ethan, Kobe, Lucy and Noah; and two great great grandchildren, Sienna and Lily. There are five generations of women in the family created by Tim and Annie living.

Annie has lived a life of hard work and difficulties, but by any measure it has been a life filled with love and respect, grace and devotion.