Zena Williams celebrates her 100th birthday with, from left, granddaughter Michelle Jackson, daughter Bronwyn Cheesman, great-granddaughter Taylor Caine and great-great-grandson Reuben Caine.
BALLARAT woman Zena Williams turns 100 tomorrow, but her most memorable birthday moment may have already been and gone.
On Saturday afternoon at her family celebration, Ms Williams met her first great-great- grandchild for the very first time.
Despite being born almost a century apart, three-month-old Reuben Caine had no trouble falling asleep in the birthday girl’s arms.
“It’s just very special to have the whole family together,” Ms Williams’ daughter Bronwyn Cheesman said.
“We have almost everyone here. People have come from Cairns and Rockhampton and from across Victoria.”
Born just months after the Titanic sank in 1912, Ms Williams has lived through two world wars, the Great Depression and the Melbourne Olympics.
After a teaching career of 10 years, she started a family,which has grown enormously since.
Now she has two daughters and a son, 12 grandchildren, 31 great-grandchildren and one great-great-grandchild.
On Saturday the family had all five generations together.
A long-term member of the Country Women’s Association, Ms Williams also loved to entertain and was always busy.
“She just loved her garden and was a great cook,” Ms Cheesman said.
“If you wanted something, even if it was only a doll’s dress, she always made it.”
