By Jessica Micallef
Healthy living is Doreen Allen’s secret to a long and happy life.
The Sunbury resident celebrated her 100th birthday at the Sunbury Lions Community Aged Care earlier this month.
With her husband, the late Herbert Allen, Ms Allen raised five children.
She is known among family and friends for her sponge cakes and passionfruit cupcakes – and for always loving a good dance.
Ms Allen’s daughter, Dianne Allen, said her mum worked as a sewing machinist in her younger days.
“She made army uniforms in Collingwood … [and] she made all our clothes – she’s a real mum.”
Dianne said family had always been very important.
“She loves her family, loves her grandchildren and children,” she said.
Ms Allen said looking after her health was one of the most important things she had achieved on the road to her 100th milestone.
“I never smoked and never drank,” Ms Allen said.
Dianne said her mum would always prioritse her personal wellbeing over her financial situation.
“Mum would always say, ‘Your health is your wealth’,” Dianne said.
