And while she was away the "whole of Raetihi" came to the rescue of her home and gardens, she said.
Apart from not having full turning power on one side of her neck Jessie appears as chipper and sprightly as she always was. Except driving is now out of the question, she said.
She used to drive the "old people" from the pensioner flats next door into town to get their groceries and things.
"Now I can only turn one way so if I drove I'd be frontpage news and I don't want that.''
Jessie got back into in her garden as fast as possible and this year she has amazing crops of most green vegetables, carrots, celery, beans and tomatoes. "I am totally self sufficient."
She has lived in Raetihi for nearly 77 years and has always been a fiercely loyal stalwart member of the community and its people.
Her friend, Billie Ratima, said Jessie turned up at every community event with plates of home-cooked food for everyone.
"She never misses church fairs, market days, all local fundraising events. She comes along with homemade pots of jam, jars of preserves and fresh vegetables from her garden. She's fantastic."
Jessie's neck collar is off now but the stiffness is apparent on the right side. "But I have learned to live with it.''
The former Waimarino Hospital radiographer had come to New Zealand in 1940 as a 14-year-old war refugee with her mum and her sister from Dalmatia (now Croatia). She was a part of a large group of children evacuated during World War II. She worked first at the Waimarino Hospital as a nurse aide before going on to train as a nurse then a radiographer.
Ten years ago Jessie was awarded the Queen's Service Medal for community services in the Waimarino. She was very embarrassed, she said.
Her garden being placed third in the Waimarino A&P (Ohakune and Raetihi) Garden competition has amazed her.
"I can't believe they have picked me. I think it is wonderful. I am a fortunate woman."
