Chrissy Rabinowitz, Thelma’s niece, said St Peter the Fisherman Catholic Church in Laurieton will be adorned in her favourite flowers and the wake at the Laurieton United Services Club will include photos and video presentations.

Thelma passed away peacefully at the Whiddon Group in Laurieton on Tuesday May 23.

In March she celebrated her 106^th birthday with a disco party and signed-off on another $100,000 donation for a new bus for seniors at Whiddon. In 2012 Thelma donated a new bus for the Social Seniors and Friends, the community group she credits with her longevity.

Sadly, Thelma will not be there to cut the ribbon on her second bus when the vehicle arrives.

Chrissy said a few weeks ago, Thelma commented that she “was just tired.”

“She was an absolutely amazing woman, completely ahead of her time,” Chrissy said.

“If she had been born in the 1950s she would have been the CEO of a Fortune 500 company, but she was born in 1911 and women didn’t have the same opportunities.

“She was a hard worker, she never judged people, never looked down on anyone and she loved Australia to the core.

“When she travelled for so many years, she would come home and tell us how lucky we are to live in Australia.

“She had a full and loving marriage to Mervyn and loved his three children and grandchildren.

“People were drawn to her. she was humble, smart and had profound wisdom. She always said there were two or more sides to every story and all of them were right. Thelma was always the first person to help anyone in need, she was generous to a fault.

“She was always immaculately dressed and loved looking her best.

“What I really loved about her was that she was always looking forward. She was always interested in finding out more about new technologies and what was going on in the world.”

Thelma was born on March 15, 1911 at Milson’s Point Sydney.

She studied accounting after finishing school and enjoyed her job with the Department of Administration and the opportunities to travel work provided.

She was married to her first husband David Conlan for 50 years and they lived in the NSW Southern Highlands.

After David's death, Thelma went on an around-the-world cruise. It was there she met war veteran Mervyn George Chandler who was also grieving after losing his wife. The couple later wed and over the course of their 32 year marriage, they travelled for more than 20 years. 

The couple retired to Laurieton and in 1993 Thelma joined the Social Seniors and Friends group. She liked it so much she urged Mervyn to join. Social Seniors and Friends is a program managed by the Mid North Coast Local Health District.

Mervyn sadly passed away at the age of 94. Thelma continued to live in their St Albans Way home until she was 104 years old. 

When she moved into the Whiddon Group’s Laurieton care facility she asked director George Fotoulis what people did for fun there. 

“Do you have a disco?” she had asked.

For her 106^th birthday the Whiddon team organised a discotheque themed party complete with mirror ball, costumes, dancing and DJ. See the photos.

“Thelma was an incredible person who was cherished by all who knew her,” George said on Thursday.

“For staff at Whiddon Laurieton, it was a true honour and privilege to care for her. Thelma touched our lives through her humour, generosity and love for life. She will be greatly  missed and always remembered as being a kind and loving person.

“We feel very blessed to have recently shared her 106th birthday celebrations with her. Our thoughts and wishes go to her family, friends and the community as we remember her.”

Thelma’s funeral will be held at 10am Monday May 29 at St Peter the Fisherman Catholic Church Laurieton. She will be laid to rest alongside Mervyn in the Catholic section of the Laurieton Cemetery.