A Life of Giving: the ‘Cream Puff Queen’
Many happy returns to Mrs Eva Jackson of Resthaven Craigmore, who celebrated her 100th birthday on 7 May 2021.
Born in Kadina, South Australia, Eva is the second youngest of seven siblings: three brothers and three sisters.
Eva’s family lived in Port Wakefield, at ‘Mudge’ Farm. Eva attended the tiny local Malakhoff schoolhouse, riding her favourite grey horse ‘Dick’ there each day, with all year levels in the same room. At 13, Eva left school to work on the farm with the rest of her family.
Eva’s life experiences have been rich and varied, and she fit many things into her 100 years. She became a skilled freelance hairdresser, keeping meticulous client records, and a dressmaker, creating outfits for the community around her and lending her hand to those who couldn’t sew.
Eva also held the position of ‘local postie’ for many years, delivering mail in her two-seater Renault, and ran a late-night cafe/delicatessen in the area, catering for passing commuters in need of a hot drink or meal.
It was here that Eva met Godfrey Jackson (known as Jack), a driver from Semaphore Park who had ventured out for a spin in his new car and happened to stop by Eva’s cafe for a coffee. She made him a bacon and egg sandwich, and the rest is history!
Eva and Jack were married at the Methodist Manse in Rosewater on 2 July, 1955. The couple settled in Largs North and they had two ‘wonderful’ children. Eva’s children are the highlight of her life, and they enjoy a close relationship still. During the 1970s, the family travelled regularly in their caravan.
Amongst all her various tasks, Eva cared for her parents, and looked after Jack when he became ill in his early 50s. Her life of caring for others continued in her volunteering role for Meals on Wheels, and in the Semaphore Opportunity Shop. She was also known to pay daily visits to a friend in need.
Baking is another skill that she had mastered, and ‘Mrs Jackson’s Cream Puffs’ were very well received by the community, with Eva often asked to cater for local events and parties. Marcia and Neil both recall having helped their mum when large orders came in by stirring the mix or filling the puffs with cream. In one year, Eva made 44,000 cream puffs. Yes, 44,000. That’s just over 120 per day!
Eva lived at home in Largs North until aged 99, cared for by her daughter Marcia (with a little social support), when her deteriorating health meant that she required a higher level of care. After a short respite stay, Eva moved to Resthaven Craigmore in October 2020.
Mrs Jackson’s secret to health and longevity is ‘enjoy life’ and she has always aspired to ‘look after others’. Eva has certainly achieved her goal and offers it as her advice to all. When asked if she had any other comments, Eva’s reply was ‘I’ll probably think of those tomorrow,’ with a smile and a twinkle in her eye.
Happy birthday Mrs Jackson, you are an inspiration to us all!
Established in 1935, Resthaven is a South Australian not-for-profit aged care community service associated with the Uniting Church in Australia.
Every day, Resthaven shares the lives and wisdom of older people and their carers, opening doors to the full range of aged care service options available.
Services are provided throughout metropolitan Adelaide, the Adelaide Hills, Murraylands, Riverland, Fleurieu Peninsula, lower Barossa region and the Limestone Coast of South Australia.