Mrs Terry attended Turua Primary School and on leaving school at 15 continued to do her schooling by correspondence, as well as helping her parents on their dairy farm.
She said she met her late husband Laurie at Saturday night dance halls but it was after a meeting at the movies in Turua that they became a couple.
They had a four-month courtship and married nine months later on June 7, 1939.
The couple started married life in Ngatea and ran her father-in-law's farm. As war drew near, Mr Terry enlisted for the Air Force but was turned down because farmers had to stay at home, but joined the home guard.
The couple moved to Omokoroa in 1950 and worked her father's dairy farm near Whakamarama store and eventually owned it.
Farming was very much a family affair. The things children did in those days they would not be allowed to do today, Mrs Terry said.
During her time in Omokoroa, Mrs Terry became a member of the Omokoroa Garden Circle, and the Omokoroa Branch of the Women's Division of Federated Farmers.
She also had a stint from 1955 to 1968 as a country reporter for the Bay of Plenty Times.
"I absolutely loved it, and I look back with pride on that time of my life," she said.
When asked her secret to living such a long life, the grandmother to six grandchildren and six great-grand children, said: "I don't think there is any secret.
"I suppose I had a fairly healthy body to start with and I have always believed in eating healthy food, and staying very active."
Mrs Terry said keeping good health, having a great network of loyal friends and a loving family, and not stressing the little things had certainly helped.
"It's been a hard life but it's been an enjoyable, happy and full life, and there have many high points.
"I feel very grateful for the life I have lived," she said.
