Century of life experienced in Eketahuna

ROYAL GREETINGS: Agnes Markey on her 105th birthday in July with Tararua mayor Roly Ellis and a card from the Queen, the second Mrs Markey had received during her long life.PHOTO/FILE

The death of Agnes Markey of Eketahuna in late August - at the age of 105 - brought down the curtain on a life which spanned the decades of New Zealand's development from the era of horse-drawn transport to advanced computer technology.

The district's longest-lived resident, Mrs Markey's tenure was unique in that her life was spent almost entirely in Eketahuna. She was born in the town and lived most of her lifetime in her Bridge St home.

Her passing had its own unique aspect also as, being the oldest person in Wairarapa-Tararua, her well-attended funeral service and a separate celebration of her life - both held in Eketahuna - meant none of her life peers were present.

The fiercely independent Mrs Markey actually died at Waireka Home but had catered for herself for most of her life, since the passing of her husband William more than 55 years before her death.

The couple had no children but Mrs Markey (nee Shultz) remained close to wider family, especially her niece Faye Ketu of Morrinsville.

When interviewed as she approached 100, Mrs Markey spoke of the changes she had seen during her life.

These included the arrival of electricity, telephones and the passage of two World Wars, along with men walking on the moon.

She received a card from the Queen on her 100th birthday and another when she reached 105, just a few weeks before she died.

Apart from her love of Eketahuna, a town she dubbed as "a good, friendly place" Mrs Markey had a passion for playing golf along with playing the piano. In her late 90s she recorded a series of one-act plays for Tararua TV which she had first learned more than 70 years earlier.

At one time Mrs Markey ran a tearooms/bakery and became world famous in Eketahuna for her carrot cake and sponges.

Although she was the district's oldest resident, historically some Wairarapa women have lived longer lives.

One was Bella Paku, also known as Ihipera Patuwai, of Tinui, who died in 1951, reputedly aged 116.

Wairarapa's oldest man since European settlement was Henry McDermott who died in Greytown Hospital many years ago aged 104.

His record long life was almost reached by Featherston's Syd Ward who died in January 2011 at 103 and just a few months short of Mr McDermott's record.