Nonagenarians
Allan Asquith turned 90 recently becoming yet another of St Margaret ’ s nonagenarian members . Compared with some of the others , of course , Alan is quite a youngster . Nevertheless , we welcome him to this elite group , congratulate him on his birthday and look forward to his being amongst our regular worshippers for a long time yet . Allan ’ s daughter Fiona and he husband Michael put on a party for him to celebrate his birthday . At the party Allan ’ s son Ron went through his early life then got Allan to describe his career as shipwright , design draftsman , naval architect and ship constructor , with special reference to highlights of happy and dangerous events . After a delicious high tea they sat down to some musical items from Allan , who had been a classical violinist for over 70 years , including 47 with his beloved late wife Betty . Allan says that , in his old age , he needs our love and friendship at all times .
Eileen Rope reached 97 on 10 February , sadly very much a shadow of who she was a year before . Her three children and various other members of her immediate family and one close friend gathered with Eileen to share a birthday cake with her in the coffee shop at Goodwin Ainslie .
Eileen Elsie Davey was born in London . She was the twelfth child in a family of fifteen . She married Jim Rope in May 1940 and they had 68 happy years together . They migrated to Australia as 10 pound poms with their sons , Brian and Alan , in 1950 . A daughter , Jill , was born the following year . Eileen moved to Canberra in 1960 and lived in Ainslie . She later became a member of Reid Methodist Church and worshipped there until it closed in 2006 . After that she worshipped at St Margaret ’ s until her health prevented her doing so . Following Jim ’ s death , Eileen moved to Goodwin Ainslie , first in a self care apartment and more recently in the aged care facility . In recent times she has been pleased to receive Holy Communion from Rev Chris Lockley in the Goodwin Ainslie Chapel each month , having a coffee and chat afterwards with other participants , including other St Margaret ’ s people , Pauline Everson and Alice Short .
St Margaret ' s News 10 February 2017