Community
4 March, 2021
Norma celebrates her 100th birthday
A FULL, happy life with plenty of “partying, socialising and enjoying herself,” as well as being a non-smoker, have been the keys to longevity for Trinity Beach local Norma Fahey who turned 100 on Wednesday.
Around 50 family and friends, include some who dodged flight cancellations, border closures and cyclones to make it up from Melbourne, helped her mark the day with a party at the Trinity Beach Bar and Grill.
Mrs Fahey’s son Vance and daughter-in-law Nikki, well-known for their musical duo the Barbary Coasters, performed live music at the event.
Mrs Fahey lived independently in Smithfield until 2018 when she moved in with Vance and Nikki in Trinity Beach.
Vance said his mother was still mobile with her walking frame and loved to go to Centacare four days a week to socialise and participate in activities.
“She’s had a life full of friends and partying. She has a lot of friends and loves going out and socialising. Nowadays we give her non-alcoholic wine. But she might have a couple today,” said Vance.
Born Norma Phyllis Blampied in Melbourne on March 3, 1921, Mrs Fahey was one of three children.
They lived in their family home in Richmond, Victoria which doubled as a shop for her father’s business as a Bootmaker/Repairer.
Norma’s first and only job was working in a service station before marrying carpenter/builder William Thomas Fahey (Bill) in 1941 and becoming a fulltime housewife and mother to their two children, Vance and April.
Bill later became an international sales manager for Burwood Timber Mills which saw him bring his family on frequent trips to Japan, America, Malaysia, Alaska, China and Fiji.
In 1990, Norma and Bill followed Vance and April and their families, and moved to Cairns. Bill passed away in 2001.
Norma has three grandchildren and four great grandchildren.
Centacare also held a party for Mrs Fahey on Thursday morning with a cake and some live music.
