Leeton's Joan Lucas marking her 100th birthday

Mrs Lucas marked the special birthday milestone on Thursday with friends and family at the Leeton Masonic Village.

Born on December 23, 1921 at Crown Street Women's Hospital, Sydney to Jacque and Gertrude Rutty, she was the oldest of three children and the only surviving child.

"Mum used to complain that her birthday was too close to Christmas to get really special presents for her birthday," her son Alan Lucas joked.

Mrs Lucas was raised in Glebe in Sydney. Her schooling was at Riverside Girls High School, Gladesville. Before marriage, she worked for the Australian Taxation Office as a stenographer.

"My mum and dad were married on January 9, 1943," Mr Lucas said. "Mum was 21 and dad was 28. They were married at St John's Anglican Church, Glebe.

"The marriage took place shortly before Dad was sent overseas on active service. Dad passed away in 1994 at the age of 80.

"He died of leukemia acquired overseas, as well as other causes, including what can be described as old age."

However, the pair did celebrate their golden wedding anniversary in 1993 and they did have six children.

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"Mum was very pleased to receive telegrams from the Governor General, the Prime Minister, the Premier and the local members for electorates that Leeton falls into," Mr Lucas said.

"Now she will be receiving another round of their best wishes on her 100th birthday."

Mr Lucas said his mother always considered herself a city girl.

"She says dad promised to take her back to Sydney, but they lived all their married live in Leeton.

"Now Mum has outlived all her contemporaries, but has an encyclopaedic knowledge of the genealogy of everyone working at the lodge and, when she more active, of people around town and in the local area."

Four of Mrs Lucas' children are alive to witness the special occasion.

Ann (Sydney), David (deceased), June (Gogeldrie), Marc (died shortly after being born), Alan (Sydney) and Julie (Albury).

All were raised in Leeton and attended Leeton High School.

Mrs Lucas has 15 grandchildren and a growing number of great grandchildren.

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