104-year-old gran top Times-Age fan

LONG LIVED: Avis O'Neale was the centre of attention on her 104th birthday yesterday. She is shown here with Lisa Cumming (left, great granddaughter), Claudia O'Neale (granddaughter), Phil O'Neale (grandson), Barry O'Neale (son.) The two infants are her great great grandchildren Carter Cumming (6 months) and Rhylee Cumming (aged 3). PHOTO/LYNDA FERINGA.

The most loyal supporter Wairarapa Times-Age has probably ever had was tucking into the latest edition, and a slice of birthday cake, at her home in Lansdowne Park, Masterton, yesterday.

Avis O'Neale, was celebrating her 104th birthday with her extended family that included her son and only child Barry, grandchildren, great grandchildren and great great grandchildren.

Still as bright as a button Avis gets great enjoyment from the newspaper which she has been subscribing to since it was first published under the Times-Age banner on April 1,1938.

Being a true lover of sport all her life she starts reading from the back page, working slowly to the front and always takes a special interest in the weather map just in case she takes a trip into town.

Although she now lives in Masterton, Avis is a devoted daughter of Featherston. She is from a farm there and her maiden name - Benton - is synonymous with the town.

She remembers life as a young girl on the farm, prior to World War 1 breaking out. Interviewed when she turned 96, in 2007, Avis said then she had probably spent enough on buying the Times-Age to pay for a world trip.

Now she considers she is on her second time round the globe. An ardent golfer until well over retirement age Avis achieved a handicap of 21 which she said "wasn't too bad for an old girl".

She also loved to walk, often setting off from Featherston township to as far as the Gum Grove property on Western Lake Road, now the home of Don and Adrienne Staples. Avis broke some of the rules in life but has no regrets, she smoked for a time before tossing the habit and enjoyed a social drink.

"But I can't even remember when I last had a drink" she said. One of her theories for longevity is "don't over eat".

She has outlived her husband Eric, a well-known Featherston joiner.