May Donald can remember when it was her father's job to stamp the cheeses leaving by boat from the port of Patea.
She was born in 1914 and celebrates her 102nd birthday today, with a family afternoon tea at Edale Home in Marton.
Born in Patea, she was one of six children. She went to school there and to Hawera High School. After school she worked as a dental assistant in Patea, before marrying Harold Donald, a railway worker.
They moved to Whanganui and lived in Ingestre St. Then they moved to Ohura and finally to Marton in 1942. Mrs Donald was in her late 20s at the time, and has been there ever since - 74 years.
"You go where the money and work is," she said.