Mrs Nash’s daughter, Margaret Scott, said it was “lovely” to have “everyone together to celebrate” on her mother’s actual birthday – January 28.

“Mum has been a lovely, caring family woman all her life,” Mrs Scott, from Salt Ash, said.

“She’s a lovely person.

“She’s never said a bad word about anyone.

“It’s really lovely to have everyone here for her 100^th birthday.”

Mrs Nash was born and raised in Young Wallsend, which is what the Newcastle suburb of Edgeworth was previously known as.

She met Jack Nash, also born and raised in Young Wallsend, and they were married on May 13, 1939.

Together the pair had four children – Alwyne, Margaret, Leon and Rodney.

Rodney died when he was 12 years old.

Alwyne and Leon, who have a five year age difference, were born with a disability.

The pair live in a care facility at Edgeworth.

Both made the trip to Tanilba Bay on Monday to celebrate their mother’s birthday.

“Mum and dad lived normal lives,” Mrs Scott said.

“Dad was a miner and mum led a domestic life raising me and the boys.”

Following Mr Nash’s death in 1993, Mrs Nash moved to Salt Ash to live with Mrs Scott and her husband, Gary.

Five years later, in 1998, Mrs Nash moved into the Calvary Tanilba Shores Retirement Community.

She has lived within the Tanilba Bay community for 20 years.

The family marked the anniversary in March 2018.

“She’s the oldest living resident of the home,” Mrs Scott said.

Mrs Nash has three grandchildren and 10 great-grandchildren.

Grandchildren Peter and Kim Price flew from Western Australia to join the 100^th birthday celebrations in Tanilba Bay on Monday.

While a series of small strokes last year robbed Mrs Nash of speech, she was full of smiles for her 100^th birthday.

“She had a beautiful day,” Mrs Scott said. “She knew everyone was there.”

Mrs Scott added that she was thankful her mother had reached 100.

Mrs Nash received congratulatory messages from government officials and from Queen Elizabeth.