Birthday wishes: Claire Jameson with daughter Julie Jameson and son Gerard Jameson.
Claire Jameson celebrated her 100th birthday at Karingal Aged Care in Seymour on Sunday, February 5.
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The day was spent surrounded by family and friends who travelled from as far as South Australia to be with her.
Many of Claire’s nieces and nephews had not seen each other for years, making it a lovely reunion for all involved.
Claire was born on February 5, 1923, in Packenham, Victoria, to John and Julia Hunt.
By the age of eight, Claire had lived in Dandenong, Essendon and then Seymour.
Owing to her time in Essendon, Claire gained a lifelong interest in the football club.
Claire was one of seven children in the family who attended St Mary’s in Seymour.
She left school at 14 to train as a telephonist, later returning to complete her school certificate.
By 16, Claire was working full-time and soon became a supervisor, continuing the role for many years.
She worked as a volunteer secretary for the nuns of St Mary’s for more than 20 years. It was in this role that she met Andrew, a journalist and printer at The Telegraph.
The couple wed in 1954.
Claire volunteered with the CWA, the Blind Association, Meals on Wheels, the Hospital Guild and the Catholic Women's Guild.
She and her husband were also members of the Karingal fundraising committee.
After Andrew’s death in 1984, Claire continued to volunteer on these committees.
Her fear of heights meant that her first plane trip was not until the age of 80, when she visited her daughter in Port Pirie, South Australia.
Claire was a wonderful cook, winning prizes in local shows.
She was famous for her shortbread biscuits. At Christmas, brightly wrapped jars would be ready to order and so many looked forward to the gifts.
Claire used the money from her cooking to pay for an extension on her home.
Thankfully, Claire wrote down much of her early history.
Sadly, she has now forgotten much of it.
Although Claire’s memories come and go, they will live on through future generations as her daughter adds to the later part of her story.
A family affair: Daughter Julie, granddaughter Angela, son Gerard and grandson Tom stand behind great-grandson Dante, Claire Jameson and granddaughter Annie.
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