On Tuesday 22nd October, May Craig celebrated her 104th birthday with her usual style, good humour and grace…
The week commenced for May on the Sunday when she was driven to Ararat where she commenced her celebratory week with a beautiful lunch at the Ararat RSL. May was delighted to be treated with special attention by all the RSL staff who were particularly thrilled to celebrate with a ‘plus-century’ WW2 veteran. May was delighted that her daughter Donna, along with her granddaughter Amber with her three children May, Hamish and Baxter, had travelled to be in attendance.
Tuesday was May’s actual birth-day, which began with an impromptu visit from two loving District Nursing friends [Janet & Andrea], then down the street for a “hairdo “and back home for an interview with Andrew from Wimmera ABC. May entertained Andrew from the outset and what was to be a “10 minute event” took considerably longer. The interview was aired early on Thursday morning but for those who slept in and missed it – please check out the ABC website for the full interview.
Later that day May was treated to a delightful afternoon tea which was held in the Flight Office at the Nhill Aviation Heritage Centre. Merv Schneider and Pam Deckert had arranged this for May and a small number of friends gathered to wish May a very happy birthday. As often happens, everyone marveled at May’s energy, her stamina and particularly her entertaining public speaking ability.
Merv Schneider, who incidentally is May’s Legacy helper – Reader please NOTE: Veteran Merv 99 years old helps veteran/war widow May 104!! That has to be a first, maybe even a record! Merv, like May, a WW2 Air Force veteran, chatted with May and delighted everyone with their amazing recollection of their past and post war experiences.
Following the afternoon tea, Merv escorted May on a brief tour of the Ahren’s Hangar where May’s Air Force uniform skirt is on display. May would like to express her sincere appreciation to all those who visited, sent lovely cards, flowers or phoned her for her special birthday. Special thanks to Pam Deckert and Merv Schneider for her lovely birthday afternoon tea.
“I consider myself greatly blessed to have a beautiful family, wonderful friends in the Nhill community and very good health. I did think the other day when I was a little bit tired – I think I must be getting old,” stated May.
May continues to complete three Herald/Sun crossword puzzles a day, keeps up with “the news” and lives independently in her delightful little unit which greets all who visit with a brightly painted yellow bicycle at her front door.
Happy Birthday May, we wish you another year of good health and happiness.
This article appeared in the Nhill Free Press & Kaniva Times, 30 October 2024.
