Newspaper Article 1999 – Centenarian dies

Centenarian dies

After a lifetime spanning two centuries and four generations, Catherine Flora Davidson of Hastings died on Monday at Eversley rest-home aged 103 years.

Born June 21 1895, Catherine Davidson was the eldest of twelve children from an Otago farming family.

Her family later bought land in Hawke’s Bay where Catherine married her late husband Peter Ayson Davidson in 1918.

They farmed for nearly 40 years. They raised three children Flora, Jean and a late son Robert.

Following the death of her husband in 1960 Mrs Davidson’s physical well-being and strength of character enabled her to continue a fully independent and active life.

Her daughter Flora said she coped on her own for over 30 years before, aged 97, she finally moved to Eversley.

She said there were no secrets to her mother’s longevity – just an active outdoor life that kept her busy.

Mrs Davidson is survived by her daughters Flora and Jean, her three grandsons and four great grandchildren.

A service for Mrs Davidson was held in the St Aubyn Chapel in Hastings this morning.

Photo caption – Mrs Davidson