Moderation leads to milestone for Paradise centenarian, Fern
Turning 100 on 16 March, Resthaven Paradise resident Mrs Maria Eugenia Fernanda (Fern) Milward (nee Guinta) says the secret to her longevity is all things in moderation – plus the love of a good man.
‘I’ve never been excessive,’ Fern says. ‘I like a glass of wine and a good meal, and I’ve never been to bed too late. I feel that I was very lucky to have such an understanding fellow, and we got along with each other very well. Honesty is key – then you are happy.’
Born in Tuscany, Italy, with Italian as her first language, Fern grew up in the Tuscan mountains. Life there was tough in winter when her village of Gorfigliano was often snowed in, but it was bountiful with summer harvests.
‘I had a very happy childhood,’ Fern says.
Her father died of consumption when Fern was just three years old. Her mother remarried, and Fern says her stepfather was a wonderful man. He worked in the Carrara marble quarry, and her mother was a homemaker.
Outside of school, Fern worked with her mother doing housework for a wealthy neighbour. She also spent a lot of time with her grandmother. Nonna Maria inspired Fern’s love of crochet, knitting, sewing, and cooking. ‘She was my favourite person,’ Fern says.
During World War II, Fern kept food on the table via the black-market – a practice that was perilous if she was caught.
‘I spent one night in a jail and was questioned by the Nazis,’ Fern says. ‘I once smuggled a radio in the basket of my bicycle to support the Italian resistance.’
Fern met her husband-to-be, Ronald, during this time when he was in the British military, stationed in Genoa, Italy.
‘My uncle told me about a job that was going at the Army stationery store,’ Fern says. ‘My job was to sort papers, fill supply orders and keep things tidy. At lunchtime I was able to take home a loaf of white bread to eat with my mother. It was a wonderful thing. It was like I had a treasure, and I was so excited to know that I would get one every day!’
Fern spoke very little English and Ronald spoke very little Italian, but this did not get in their way.
‘One day, Ronald asked me if there was somewhere he could take his shirts to be cleaned,’ Fern says. ‘I said he could take them to my mother, and things just grew from there.’
Being in the army, Ronald was sent away to fight, but when he returned he asked Fern to marry him. She was 22 and he was 25.
‘I spoke with my mother, and she said to me ‘Well, it’s your life – you can marry who you want.’
The pair were married in Italy, and Fern remained there when Ronald was demobbed with the troops. Travelling to England with other war brides, Ronald met her when she arrived and together they lived with Ronald’s parents.
‘It was a strange country, with strange food and I didn’t know the language,’ Fern says. ‘But, I loved it anyway! Eventually, we moved into our own home and for the first time in my life I lived in a modern home with electricity and running water.’
They lived in the United Kingdom for 12 years, and had three daughters, though sadly one, Maria, died at the age of 31 in Australia.
While living in England, Fern further developed her skills as a knitter, seamstress and embroiderer.
‘My sisters-in-law were very happy because they couldn’t sew a stitch,’ Fern says. ‘We would often visit fabric shops, and they would pick up material, and then I would make them some lovely clothes.’
In 1959, the family emigrated to Australia on the SS Orion. Both Fern and Ron worked multiple jobs to save a deposit to purchase a house. Fern initially worked in the Royal Adelaide Hospital laundry, and later as a shop assistant and a receptionist. She started a successful childrenswear business with Ron before retiring.
Throughout, Fern continued handcrafting: sewing, smocking and knitting and later beading and quilting for her daughters, grandchildren and great grandchildren. Many of these items remain in the family, tucked away for future generations.
Fern’s first car ride was at age 18 and she was so proud when she learned to drive here in Australia.
Fern also learned a lesson – that is, to wind up the window before going through the car wash!
Sadly, Ronald died in 2016, aged 94. ‘I had a very happy life with Ronald,’ Fern says. ‘He was different to the Italian men I knew. He was very modern in his attitudes.’
Fern moved into Resthaven Paradise in August 2016.
The matriarch of five generations with three daughters, four grandchildren, seven great-grandchildren and three great-great-grandchildren, Fern also lovingly ‘adopted’ her daughter Joy’s stepchildren and then their children also as grandchildren. She is known to them all as ‘Nanna Fern’ and is looking forward to celebrating with each of them on her birthday.
Thank you for sharing your story, Fern!