MARY Snape continues to defy time, celebrating her 106th birthday recently with family and residents at Boronia House.

Born in Greenwich, England in 1920, Mary was the third of seven children. She worked with her sister in the Land Army in Herefordshire at the start of WWII, then at Woolwich Arsenal (near London), making ammunition for the Allied Forces.

Following the war, Mary emigrated to Australia with her husband Walter and their five children (Terrence, Carolyn, Adrian, Elaine, Barbara), initially living in Guildford until 2005, with the extended family stretching to include 13 grandchildren, 25 great-grandchildren and 3 great-great-grandchildren.

Explaining her longevity, Mary said she doesn’t smoke, seldom drinks alcohol, maintains a positive attitude, and always sees the bright side of things and the best in people. “I also have the best children,” Mary said.