Hendrika ‘Henny’ Bobeldyk is a sprightly 100 years old this week, with her three children singing her praises at her home at Wontama Nursing Home on Monday.
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Daughter Henrietta Kempton said that her children are feeling blessed to be sharing this milestone with their mother.
“I’m so thankful to have her living so close and getting to spend this time with her,” said Mrs Kempton.
“We had family fly from as far as Canada to celebrate this weekend – it was a very special time.”
Mrs Kempton said although her mum is almost always positive, she was smiling especially wide as she posed for a picture with four generations of Bobeldyks at her party on Saturday.
“Dad used to make profiteroles all the time and they were one of mum’s favourite sweets,” she said.
“So I made a huge mud cake with glitter sparklers and profiteroles – I think she had about three.”
Mrs Bobeldyk was born in the Netherlands in 1918, where she met and married dutch army officer John Bobeldyk.
The young couple survived the German invasion of World War II, setting sail for Sydney in 1951.
They then spent time at a migrant camp in Bathurst before settling in Orange.
The entrepreneurial immigrants opened a bakery in Springhill, another in Millthorpe and then a furniture store in Orange.
The Bobeldyks have been running Furniture One for 52 years now.
“One thing she taught us all was to work hard,” said Mrs Kempton.
“Her granddaughters all said that this weekend.”
Mrs Bobeldyk said she’s always been a good business woman but the trick to a long life is to laugh a lot.
“I love Australia and I love Holland too,” she said.
“It was sometimes difficult but I’ve never been a cranky old woman – I always whistle – I will always be happy.”
Mrs Bobeldyk said she was proud to have received a letter from the queen.
“I feel honoured to have all these beautiful people celebrate with me,” she said.