Phoena going strong on 103

Phoena Jones celebrated her 103rd birthday with her son, Howard, last week. 134516 Pictures: STEWART CHAMBERS

By LACHLAN MOORHEAD

ONE of Doveton’s oldest residents celebrated another milestone last week, blowing out the candles for her 103rd birthday.
Phoena Jones, a resident at the Chestnut Gardens Nursing Home in Doveton, was born on 18 February 1912 and celebrated at a party held in her honour on Tuesday last week, 17 February.
Family members and staff gathered at Chestnut Gardens to wish Phoena all the best for her 103rd with cake served and musical entertainment provided.
Phoena’s son Howard said the party was a great success and he “couldn’t be happier” with the love and care his mum received at Chestnut.
“She had a great time and really enjoyed herself, we took lots of photos,” he said.
“103 is a good age, her cousin was there too, she’s a spritely 98-year-old.”
In her younger days Phoena sought a job at a sewing business for something to do, not knowing that fate had put her on a path to meet her future husband.
Howard thanked Chestnut Gardens lifestyle co-ordinator Ashwin Lennox for organising the party and being a constant companion for his mother.
“We’re counting down the days until her 104th birthday,” Howard said.