LONGTIME Penshurst local, Marjory Banks, has celebrated her 103rd birthday.

Her family, friends and staff at Rouse Villas at the Penshurst District Health Service gathered for afternoon tea on Tuesday to help mark the major occasion.

Born on November 14, 1920, in the northern suburb of Gladesville, Sydney, Marjory (Sainty) was the eldest child of Stanley and Vi, with a younger sister, Jean, and went to school at Sydenham. She remembers when Sydney Harbour Bridge was opened.

The family moved to Melbourne in 1934, due to her father’s work and lived in several different suburbs including Burwood and Canterbury.

She attended Melbourne Girls High School then business college in the city which led to office employment in Melbourne city where she made life-long friends.

She loved dancing and attended as much as she could and it was during this time she met her husband, Robert (Bob) Banks, and they married November 16, 1940.

They had three children, Alan, John and Robyn, however sadly both boys died in infancy.

The family moved to Penshurst in 1956 to pursue country life with both Marjory and Bob employed at Cheviot Hills Station for many years, before moving to Grassmere for a short time.

They then returned to Penshurst where they were heavily involved in the local community through the fire brigade, the hospital ladies’ committee and Penshurst Historical Society.

Marjory also worked at the hospital in the kitchen where she now resides in the beautiful brand-new facility of Rouse Villas.

She has five grandchildren, nine great-grandchildren and two great-great-granddaughters.

In 2012 she moved to Kolor Lodge where she spent many years there joining in the many activities.

She loved her room looking out on the garden, watching the birds, reading and doing crosswords.

Her daughter Robyn Banks from Heywood and two granddaughters, Ellen Casey and Andrea Hayes both from Hamilton, were present to help with celebrations.

Nurse Beth Howlett said it was a pleasure to look after Mrs Banks and that she was an inspiration.

“She’s such a lady,” she said.

“She always has a lot of family visit.

“She’s a joy to be around.”