Wednesday, April 9, 2025

Issue:

Mackay and Whitsunday Life

Jean Turns 107 But Her Spirit’s Forever Young!

While many people aspire to reach 100, Jean Neep from Home Hill has well and truly raised the bar, celebrating an incredible 107th birthday surrounded by love, laughter and fond memories.

Born in an era of immense change, Jean has witnessed the world transform in extraordinary ways. She married in 1938, just before the outbreak of the Second World War, and embraced the challenges of family life with strength and grace. Together with her husband, she raised three children in Ayr; John, Marilyn and Alan, and created a nurturing home filled with love and strong values.

Over the years her family grew, and Jean is now the proud grandmother of eight grandchildren, and great-grandmother to an extraordinary twenty-two great-grandchildren. Her legacy stretches across generations, with her wisdom and gentle humour leaving a lasting impression on all who know her.

Her youngest son, Alan Neep, describes her as a “good mum,” who raised her children with the same values she herself was brought up with. “She’s a happy person with a great sense of humour!” he laughed.

Alan visits his mother every day without fail, sharing the quiet moments over a cup of tea and a banana, a simple ritual that brings them both comfort. Though Jean is now bedridden, Alan says her cheerful spirit hasn’t waned in the slightest, and she still has a steady supply of jokes at the ready: “She’s lived a healthy life and had a lot of friends,”

When asked how it feels to turn 107, Jean responded in her typically light-hearted way saying “I feel no different to when I turned 100!”

Alan fondly recalled how Jean spent much of her life involved in friendship clubs and community groups. These connections were an important part of her life, giving her the opportunity to engage with others, share stories, and do something she truly loved — singing. Her love for music brought joy not only to herself but to those around her, and her warm, welcoming personality made her a much-loved figure in the community.

Her son Alan believes her remarkable longevity is also a result of the healthy lifestyle she maintained throughout her life. She never drank alcohol and kept her mind active with crossword puzzles, a habit she has continued into her later years.

On her birthday, Jean received plenty of cards and flowers. Unfortunately, the recent floods made it difficult for many visitors to reach her, though her son Alan noted that she didn’t mind, having never been a big party animal.

Now, at 107, Jean continues to inspire those around her with her resilience, warmth, and unwavering positivity. Wishing you the happiest of birthdays, Jean!

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