Irene Blount enjoying her centenary birthday celebrations.
Not many mums and daughters share a January 1 birthday when one of them is turning a lofty 100.
Irene Blount and her daughter Maggie Windle pictured at Irene’s 100th birthday tea at Cambridge Life.
That was the case in Cambridge this month when Irene Blount and her daughter Margaret ‘Maggie’ Windle enjoyed two days of celebrations that started on December 31 and finished with a shindig at Maggie’s home on their shared special day, January 1, when Irene turned 100, and Maggie 76.
The newly-minted centenarian has been a resident at Cambridge Life for almost two-and-a-half years. They put on a slap-up birthday tea for her on December 31.
English-born Irene was brought up with four brothers and three sisters in Essex. She joined the women’s auxiliary services, met her first husband and came out to New Zealand as a war bride. All four of their children were born Kiwis.
“I loved it right away, loved the big city,” Irene said. She remembers being unable to find the right bus to get home one day and asking a nearby policeman for help. He enlisted the aid of a young woman whom he knew lived in the same street as Irene, and she escorted the newcomer home.
Cambridge News 22 January 2026
“That was Jean… we got on so well that we became friends for life.”
Irene worked as a medical receptionist for years, enjoying engaging with people across the boards. Time spent on committees, school PTAs, St John and her local Citizen’s Advice Bureau provided even more opportunities for that. She visited Cambridge but thought it too small after the big city lights, then lived in Tīrau and again in Auckland before settling here to be closer to Maggie.
Mobility and sight issues may have clipped Irene’s wings but there is no shortage of sparkle. She never misses the 6pm news on the telly, enjoys chats with fellow residents, still eats like a horse and happily shows off some of her exquisite embroidery work done on beautiful tablecloths.
“Mum was a great sewer and knitter all her life,” said Maggie. “She made all our clothes as we grew up. She was also a very keen gardener.”
Irene is thrilled at the slew of birthday cards she received from important folk, both here and abroad. She is particularly tickled at the one from King Charles and Queen Camilla.
When asked what her secret to a long life might be, she suggested it was as simple as getting up each day with purpose… making the best of each day.
If her descendants do the same – four children, 10 grandchildren and 16 great-grandchildren so far – they’ll be set for life.
Irene Blount enjoying her centenary birthday celebrations.
