Over 100 family and friends joined with the residents and staff of Bellorana for a great morning tea.

Beatrice was born in Kempsey in 1909 and as a baby moved with her parents (Selina and Reuben Gill) to Repton/Bonville where she commenced her schooling.

At the age of 10 her family moved to Deervale to run the Post Office and farm. In 1927 Beatrice (Gill) married Ralph Gibson and they settled to farm on the Deervale Road (Gangara).

They had five children, Hazel (Thomas), Bill, Joan (Craig), Bruce and Judith (Ellem) all born in Dorrigo. Beatrice and Ralph continued to dairy at Gangara until 1957 and then Bill took over the family farm.

Beatrice and Ralph then moved into Dorrigo and became heavily involved in town life, Ambulance, Girl Guides, Spastic Centre and other voluntary organisations, and a hardware business.

Beatrice and Ralph continued in Dorrigo until Ralph’s passing in 1975.

Beatrice was to re-marry and in 1983 she and her new husband Gordon Keft, an old family friend, moved to reside in Urunga. Gordon was to pass away in 1998 and Beatrice remained in Urunga until she elected to move into the Joyce Jarrett wing at Bellorana in January 2006.

Beatrice continues to enjoy good health and many interests, embroidery, gardening, crocheting, knitting and reading. She has many family and friends who continue to visit and enjoy her wonderful friendship and company.

An extraordinary day was celebrated, firstly at Bellorana and finishing with lunch at the Bellingen Golf Club.

Family had travelled from all over NSW, ACT and QLD to be with her for the day…she is held in such high regard.

Well done and congratulations to Beatrice Gibson-Keft for a wonderful productive life filled with love and friendship.

She has been a wonderful older sister to four siblings as well as, Mother, Aunt, Grandmother, Great-Grandmother and Great Great-Grandmother to 5 children, 21 grandchildren, 45 great grandchildren and 11 great-great grandchildren…Well done and the innings continues …….. !