Mary Wilson celebrates her 100th after a lifetime of nursing, farming and community in Katanning and beyond

A lifetime of hard work, compassion and dedication has led former Katanning resident Mary Wilson to an extraordinary milestone, celebrating her 100th birthday on March 23. Now residing at Rosewood Care in Leederville, Ms Wilson spent more than 70 years in Katanning, where she built a life deeply connected to the community. Born in Northampton where she completed her schooling with her two brothers, Ms Wilison moved away to train as a nurse in Woorloloo, Northampton and Kalgoorlie. Following her training, she went to Sydney to complete her midwifery qualifications and later returned to WA where she accepted a position at the Katanning District Hospital. Shortly afterwards she met local farmer Archie Wilson who she married in 1953. In the early 70s, Ms Wilson raised six children whilst working as charge sister and was known as ‘Sister Wilson’ around the general ward at KDH. Following her husbands sudden death in 1980, she managed the farm until her sons Allan and Richard took over. In the early 90s, Ms Wilson moved into the Katanning town where she became a stalwart of the St Andrew’s parish. There she was known as Mother Mary, played croquet, helped run the op shop, played bridge, delivered afternoon tea to the residents of Bethshan and developed her love of gardening. Today, Ms Wilson is a mother to six children, a grandma to 13 and a great grandma to six, soon to be eight children. To celebrate her milestone of 100 years she had a lunch with family and friends which was followed by a morning tea hosted by Rosewood the next day. Ms Wilson’s daughter, Debbie Clark said it was great to get family and friends together to celebrate. “It was so lovely to see so much family and people travel to see her,” she said. “It was lovely to hear all their stories and how she was special in everyone’s life. “She’s so special in ours so it was nice to hear those stories. “It was pretty humbling and emotional to see her still alive and doing so well and thinking back to what she has achieved is incredible.”