The conversations of life

Aged care resident who fled Nazi Germany celebrates 100th birthday

0

German-born Marie-Louise Green – known as Marlies – marked the special day this week at her Lutheran Services’ St Andrews community home on the Gold Coast.

Born to Jewish parents in 1920, Mrs Green was only 13 when she and her family fled Nazi Germany for Holland but sadly, her parents were transported and killed in a concentration camp.

After the Second World War, Mrs Green was living in Edinburgh where she met her husband and then emigrated to Australia in 1951.

Her daughter Johanne says while it was sad the special day couldn’t be celebrated with family and friends from Holland and across Australia, staff had worked hard to ensure Mrs Green had a wonderful celebration at the home.

And Mrs Green’s secret to a long life?

“Keep smiling, keep busy, keep laughing, enjoy everything in moderation… and lots of sleep!” she said.

“It’s also important to get active every day – I walk every day, which I picked up from my parents who took me hiking in Switzerland as a child.”

We’ll take it on board.

Lauren is a journalist for villages.com.au, agedcare101 and The Donaldson Sisters. Growing up in a big family in small town communities, she has always had a love for the written word, joining her local library at the age of six months. With over eight years' experience in writing and editing, she is a keen follower of news and current affairs with a nose for a good story.


Leave A Reply