Community & Business
4 February, 2025
Aunty Edna celebrates her 107th birthday
Edna Doris Bryce could be the oldest resident in the Toowoomba Region after she celebrated her 107th birthday on January 24 which culminated in a surprise visit from Mayor Geoff McDonald.
Mrs Bryce celebrated her birthday in the company of her family and friends, including her 97-years-old sister Rene.
Mayor McDonald congratulated her on achieving this milestone with a vase of fresh flowers and a pot of homegrown honey.
The flowers were pastel shades of yellow and pink, which delighted Mrs Bryce whose favourite colour is ‘lemon’.
A connection was even made between Mr McDonald and Mrs Bryce’s niece, Kathy Hohn (nee Berghofer), who revealed they are second cousins.
The Mayor’s grand-mother Tess McDonald (nee Berghofer) was Mrs Hohn’s aunt.
Tess worked in the binding room at the print shop McDonald and Rosbrook where she met and later married Jack McDonald, who was a printer and Wallaby Rugby Union representative.
At her birthday celebration, family reminisced about stories of Mrs Bryce over the years, which produced many smiles and much laughter.
She was not required to blow out 107 candles but simply enjoyed a slice of chocolate cake.
Mrs Bryce was welcomed into the world on January 24, 1918 in Toowoomba, as Edna Doris Weber.
She met her match, Roy Bryce, playing tennis and they married at Crows Nest in 1942.
The couple did not have children and lived in Hill Street, Pittsworth for more than 60 years.
A lifetime of performing chores and household cleaning developed a strong work ethic in Mrs Bryce, who continued in that profession until she was 97 years old.
Roy died in 1985 and Mrs Bryce remained at home until three years ago when she moved into the Lodge at Beauaraba Living.
“I have good days and bad days,” Mrs Bryce said, but she has been relatively well over the years.
To date, she has lived through two World Wars, two pandemics, two Summer Olympics (in Australia); and is a great, great, great Aunt.
Her claim as the oldest resident in the Toowoomba Region has yet to be disputed.
Every year The Sentinel is pleased to report Mrs Bryce’s birthday achievements, and will continue to do so until she is called to her heavenly home.
Australia’s oldest recorded resident was Mabel Crosby, the “Queen of Queensland”, who lived to 111.
