Wollongong Centenarian Alice Isedale Celebrates a Century of Life and Legacy
Alice Isedale, a beloved resident of Wollongong, marked a significant milestone as she celebrated her 100th birthday on January 23. A special celebration was held at the Marco Polo Unanderra Aged Care Centre, where she was surrounded by her loving family and close friends, honouring a life rich with personal and community contributions.
Early Life and Family Roots in Wollongong
Born Alice Timms, she was the youngest of six children to parents Alice Lumley and Bertram Timms. The family resided at 12 Osborne Street in Wollongong, where her mother operated a boarding house. Alice fondly recalls her childhood chores, including plucking chickens each Sunday for the family's traditional roast dinner.
Leaving school at the age of 14, Alice began her working life at Davis and Penney, a business located on Keira Street in Wollongong during the 1940s. It was during this time that she met and later married Owen Isedale, with the couple initially making their home in the Timms family residence.
Building a Home and Family in Frederick Street
In 1959, Alice and Owen embarked on constructing their own home at 6 Frederick Street in Wollongong, moving into the property in the early 1960s. Their family grew with the birth of their first son, Lance Owen, in 1956, followed by their second son, Greg, in 1960.
The Isedale household became a welcoming hub for their sons' friends, with Alice known for her generous hospitality, often serving an abundance of cakes and sandwiches. To this day, those friends remember her as a "kind and beautiful lady".
A Life of Community Service and Travel
Alice dedicated herself to giving back to her community through various acts of kindness. For many years, she made regular hospital visits to new mothers, presenting them with hand-knitted and crocheted baby items. Her commitment to service was recognised with a Community Service Award presented at Parliament House in 2017.
She was also a long-standing member of the Mothers Union at St Marks Church in Wollongong, participating for over six decades. In her personal life, Alice and Owen enjoyed travelling with dear friends Harold and Thelma Johnston, taking bus trips to favourite destinations such as Tasmania, New Zealand, and Western Australia.
Later Years and Family Legacy
In her later years, Alice lived independently at Diment Towers until December 2022, before moving to William Beach Gardens, where she was noted for being "quite a speedster with her walker". Following a decline in her health, she relocated to Marco Polo Unanderra for a higher level of care.
Her daughter-in-law, Leonita, described Alice as having "lived a life full of ups and downs but has always remained a true lady and friend to all". Today, Alice is a proud mother, grandmother to Ben, Lincoln, Catelin, Erin, and Owen, and great-grandmother to Riley, Ollie, Ruby, Grace, Ava, and Cooper.
Her century-long journey in Wollongong stands as a testament to resilience, community spirit, and the enduring bonds of family.
