Oldest resident dies

The Peninsula's oldest living resident, Alice Fitzpatrick, has died in her 107th year.

Alice, also reportedly the longest surviving Australian First World War widow, passed away in her sleep on Saturday, June 10.

"Many fine tributes were paid to Alice by family members and friends at her funeral service held at Palmdale on Friday, June 16," said Member for Peats Ms Marie Andrews.

"All recounted Alice's great love of life, her generosity and her good sense of humour.

"Alice not only played an important role as the matriarch of a large family, but she was an active member of many local organizations.

"These included the Ettalong War Widows Guild, Legacy, Red Cross Umina and the Women's Auxiliary of the Woy Woy Ettalong-Hardy's Bay RSL Sub Branch.

"Her dancing abilities were well renowned and one of my fondest memories of Alice was of her dancing with Lucky Starr at last year's Seniors barbecue and concert held at Ettalong War Memorial Club.

"For a number of years now, Alice has held her birthday party at the Ettalong Memorial Bowling Club where she was a member for many years.

"It was appropriate then that her wake was held there after the funeral service.

"To Alice's only surviving child, Gloria Peachey, and to all the other members of Alice's family, I extend my deepest sympathy."

Born Alice Simpson on August 7, 1899, at Waterloo in Sydney, Alice started school in at Curry Curry in 1905, then moved to Pelaw Main and finished at Tea Gardens, aged 14.

At the outbreak of Worid War I, she moved to Sydney.

In 1919, she married Gallipoli veteran James Fitzpatrick and reared six children.

She made all of their clothes.

Alice has two children still surviving, along with 25 grandchildren, 45 great grandchildren and 25 great great grandchildren.

She was widowed in 1952, when James died of injuries he had received in the war.

Alice was a foundation member of the Crippled Children's Association, with her third child having two clubfeet.

According to her daughter, Gloria Peachy, it was because of Alice's endurance and perseverance that this boy was accepted into the army in 1940.

Alice worked at Selby Shoes until 1970, when she was aged 71.

On retirement, Alice did charity work for Number 9 Community Centre at Newtown, a Meals on Wheels depot.

Alice waited tables and worked in the kitchen.

Alice joined Manickville RSL Women's Auxiliary in the 1970s and worked with the auxiliary until retiring to the Central Coast in 1990, aged 91.

After moving to Umina, she set up a fund for a cobalt machine, used to aid cancer treatment, for the Central Coast.

Alice then joined the Red Cross, and in July 2003, was awarded a 10-year service medal by the Umina Beach branch of the Red Cross.

Press release, June 22 Marie Andrews, Member for Peats Ben Rossleigh, June 22 Letter, April 2, 2003 Gloria Peachey, July 22, 2003 Letter, July 23, 2003 Craig Stone, July 18, 2005