Constance celebrates a century!
‘You have to make your own way in life,’ says Resthaven Blackwood Retirement Living resident Mrs Constance Neil, who turns 100 on 10 August.
A devoted mother and wife, with talents for cooking and singing, Constance was the second eldest of her parents’ five children. The family grew up in regional South Australia, travelling with their parents as they moved to wherever Constance’s dad was positioned as a school principal. The family’s longest stint was in Angaston, where they lived for around nine years.
Constance attended the primary schools where her dad was teaching, before going on to Moonta High School.
‘Then, I moved to Adelaide and boarded with my auntie so that I could attend Adelaide Girls’ High,’ she says.
Constance left after completing her second year of high school to work as an insurance clerk at the offices of T&G Mutual Life Insurance, working in the building that is still located on the corner of King William and Grenfell Streets, Adelaide.
Meeting Ken
While working in the city, and attending the nearby church, Constance met Ken, her husband-to-be. The pair began dating, and on 18 September 1948 they were married.
Constance and Ken moved into a home near Kurralta Park, before moving to a Housing Trust home at Warradale and then Glenalta, where Constance lived until 2004, when she moved into Resthaven Blackwood Retirement Living.
Constance worked within the family home and had her hands full with four children born between 1949 and 1960 – David, Sue, Kathy and Merridee.
Ken worked at Foy & Gibson department store, located on the corner of Rundle and Pulteney Streets. It was later known as Foy’s and also Cox-Foys. He was first employed there as a window dresser, before working his way up into roles as a merchandiser, and then a buyer for Women’s Fashions.
‘He would travel to Hong Kong and Singapore, as well as Sydney and Melbourne, to look at the latest fashions and bring them back to Adelaide,’ Constance says.
‘Sometimes he would bring me home something special before it hit the floors!’
Constance remembers entertaining some of Ken’s work colleagues in their home.
‘He would have clients from interstate come to visit and I would make a special dinner for everyone,’ Constance says. ‘And then we would all retire to the loungeroom after.’
Constance was also famous for her sweet treats, with friends of her children often coming around after school to enjoy a piece of cake or a home-baked biscuit.
Singing in the choir
Constance has always loved to sing, and as the children grew up and she had more time, she joined local choral groups, including the Hills Choral Society, the Belair Singers, and the church choir.
‘I took singing lessons as a child and I have always enjoyed it,’ Constance says. ‘We performed in eisteddfods, as well as volunteering our time to sing for different groups, including in aged care homes.’
‘There were dozens of ladies in the choir, and I made some lovely friends through the groups.’
Constance also volunteered at the children’s schools, joining committees, and helping out in the canteen.
When Ken retired, the couple took the opportunity to travel the world. They travelled to South-East Asia, Europe and the UK, as well as New Zealand and Zimbabwe.
‘I loved them all,’ Constance says about the different countries she has travelled to. ‘They were each lovely in their own way.’
Sadly, Ken passed away in 2003.
Constance moved into her unit the following year, where she still lives independently with the support of her children, who take it in turns to stay with her. She enjoys reading, doing crossword puzzles, and playing Scrabble – all of which keep her brain sharp.
‘I’m very happy with where I live,’ Constance says. ‘It is a nice unit, and I’m happy to still be in the same area where the kids grew up. These days, the kids look after me like I used to look after them,’ Constance laughs. ‘There is always someone here to help me.’
In celebration of her birthday, Constance will be joined at the Belair Hotel by friends and family, including her two grandsons.
‘I have a very good life, with wonderful children,’ Constance says. ‘I’ve never felt sorry about anything that I have done. I enjoyed looking after the children very much and taking care of Ken.’
‘It’s all in the lap of the Gods really!’
Happy 100th Birthday, Constance! We hope you enjoy your celebrations.