Life is what you cake it for Pingelly centenarian at Kalkarni Residential Care
Baptistcare Kalkarni Residential Care’s Executive Chef whipped up a delectable cake creation in honour of Ellie Parsons, celebrating 102 years.
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29 August 2022
News
| Aged Care Homes
Baptistcare Kalkarni Residential Care’s Executive Chef whipped up a delectable cake creation in honour of Ellie Parsons, celebrating 102 years.
Centenarian Florence ‘Ellie Parsons’ has always been known as a ‘home cook extraordinaire’ with a particular talent for creating mouth-watering cakes.
Even moving into Baptistcare Kalkarni Residential Care in Brookton three years ago didn’t stop her baking – it just meant she swapped kitchens.
But this week it was Kalkarni’s Executive Chef Ravi Subbiah’s turn to whip up a delectable cake creation for Ellie in honour of the vibrant great grandmother turning 102.
The birthday milestone is another chapter in Ellie’s fabulous life story which has been filled with farming, family and friends.
Ellie was Born in Pingelly on the 14th of August 1920 to parents Florence ‘May’ and Walter ‘Clarrie’ Hughes.
She grew up on the farm with siblings Dulcie and Walter (Jim) and attended the tiny one teacher Woodlands school, arriving every morning by horse and cart.
Ellie left school at 15 to work on the family farm and it was there that she met a young man called Robert Parsons came to work for her dad.
Ellie and Rob (now deceased) married in April 1941 and went on to have three children, Beryl, Graeme and Colin.
Family life centred around their property at Sunny Brae in West Pingelly.
Ellie made all the children’s clothes at night on a treadle sewing machine by the light of a kerosene lamp.
During the day she tended the cows and the chooks and looked after a huge garden of stunning flowers and vegetables and an orchard bursting with fruit.
It was fresh produce that inspired Ellie’s love of cooking and she made everything from scratch including jams, butter, bread and cakes.
Her children laughingly said the only time they saw their mum cry as kids was when they came back from church one Sunday to find that a ‘big old cow called Shirley’ had broken into the back garden and destroyed the veggie patch.
Despite her busy home life, Ellie always found the time to be an active member of the local community.
She supported the children with their sporting pursuits and Junior Farmers and worked at the Pingelly Agricultural Society.
Her gorgeous garden blooms were exhibited at the annual RSL Flower Show and in later years Ellie joined the Pumphreys Country Women’s Association.
Ellie also loved the Pingelly Uniting Church and only stopped attending a few years ago when she lost her hearing.
Over the years Ellie’s beloved family has continued to grow and she now has seven grandchildren and 21 great children.
Both of her sons, Beryl’s husband Graeme and their extended families still farm in the Pingelly/Wandering area.
Baptistcare Kalkarni’s Residential Care Manager, June Harwood, said Ellie is a great example of living life to the full no matter your age.
“Ellie still embraces her hobbies and interests and enjoys participating in the various social activities here at Kalkarni,” she said.
“But when it comes to the secret of a long and happy life, I have no doubt that for Ellie it is the love of family.”
Follow this link for more information about Residential Care or call 1300 275 227.