Now celebrating her hundredth birthday, there’s less walking going on but just as much enthusiasm for life. She spends her time making ceramics, socialising at Kelasta, playing her Nintendo DSi, and doing crosswords.

“She does the Courier crossword every week,” said Dulcie’s daughter, Brenda Munro. “Her record is two minutes.”

It wasn’t always easy, born during WWI and living through the Great Depression, a time she describes as “terrible”.

“You couldn’t buy any new clothes,” said Ms Harwood. “I remember buying a pair of shoes so cheap they pinched my toes, and that was when I was walking to school.” Food was also scarce. She recalls her mother having to “grow enough wheat for cakes, so [her family] had enough to eat,” while her father struggled to find employment. “He didn’t serve in the First World War,” staying back to maintain the farm, which they later lost. “All the jobs went to the men who had served.”

Dulcie left work at 14 to help her family make ends meet, getting a job in a cafe restaurant “for the princely sum of 15 shillings per week.” She was only young, but built up her muscles quickly, carrying solid silver trays of food up and down the stairs to the restaurant without complaint.

It was in 1937 that she met her first husband at ballroom dancing lessons-a marriage that left her named ‘Dulcibel Bell’, eventually even living on ‘Bell street’. However, in 1939 he was called to serve his country in WWII, leaving Dulcie with two young children, and again a need to provide financially for her family. Fortunately, her penchant for flowers came in handy, growing them wherever she could in her garden and selling them.

None of these challenges made her grow hard, though, notes Mrs Munro. “She’s a generous, kind person.” Although, “a little stubborn” too. “I’m 70, and even now she still tries to tell me how to do things.”

Besides, she found a way to deal with any anger: chopping wood. “I’d go out and take it out on the wood,” said Ms Harwood. “I’d have it cut in no time.”

What impresses Brenda most is Dulcie’s principles that she passed down to her six children. “Honesty, integrity, how to conduct yourself. All the fundamentals.”

“In turn, my husband and I have four children, all professionals… It comes from mum,” said Mrs Munro. “She was always into doing the best for us, and our education,” encouraging her children to take up hobbies, play sports, meet people, a trait Mrs Munro has passed on.

This week, the family have all come together, crossing states, and oceans, to celebrate this momentous occasion. “I’ve got grattitude [for my mother], but also inspiration [from her],” said Mrs Munro. “She’s proof hard work really never killed anyone.”

If you ask Dulcibel Harwood how she did it, she’s well prepared with a response. “My answer is simple. Hard work, resilience, stubbornness, happiness and eating well,” said Ms Harwood.