As Pat Pepperell prepares to celebrate her 97th birthday next week, she reflects on a full and happy life.
Born and raised in Kent, England, Pat immigrated to New Zealand with her husband, Don, in 1963. They settled in Nelson after staying with friends who had already made the move and later bought a property on Atawhai Drive, where Pat still lives today.
A teacher of children with learning difficulties in England, Pat was determined to continue her work in New Zealand. Although it took more than a year to find a suitable role, she eventually secured a position at Maitai School, where she happily spent the rest of her career.
Don worked at the Nelson Motor Vehicle Assembly Plant and, according to Pat, earned a reputation as someone deeply trusted by those around him.
The couple never had children, but their home was filled with Siamese and British Blue cats, which they bred, as well as a succession of dogs. Pat says she has also accumulated plenty of “adopted children” over the years, many of whom still call in to visit.
Determined to stay in her own home, Pat draws daily inspiration from the view outside her windows, a scene reflected in many of the paintings that line her walls.
A section in front of her home was subdivided off the property, which her neighbour purchased from her last year, on the provisor she could stay in her home till she dies – and looks after her cat when she’s gone, and Pat’s first thought is for the roughly 60-year-old oak tree that she planted in her early years at the house.
“I hope they don’t cut it down; I'm going to really growl if they do. That’s my tree, and I’ll tell you where I pinched it from,” she says with a twinkle in her eye.
Turns out it was more of a ‘rescue’ than pinching, having been found growing out the side of a pathway while the couple were out walking.
“I said, ‘Well, that tree is never going to survive there, Is it?’ So, so I pulled it and put it there.”
“It’s a lovely shape, and my paintings of course, I really include it in my mind.”
Although Pat insists she is not an artist, her home suggests otherwise, particularly her conservatory, where artwork covers the walls.
She says painting became a serious hobby after retirement, when she finally had more time to devote to it. Now, she has one remaining ambition.
Her dream is to exhibit some of her paintings and perhaps even sell one.
Asked how many artworks she has available for an exhibition, Pat laughs. “As many as you want.”
Her independence remains a source of pride, though she readily acknowledges the realities of ageing.
“I'm not perfect. I forget things. I make mistakes, who cares? I’m allowed to make mistakes.”
Pat also reflects fondly on Don, who died in 2021.
“He was really a lovely man.”
“I’m going to cling on as long as I can, like Don, he died in hospital. I was holding his hand when he died, and it was amazing."
To help her remain at home, Pat receives support from carers who prepare meals for her. While appreciative, she still has opinions on the cooking.
“They cook the life out of the meat, I say. I was a very good cook, and so I know what it looks like. So, I put chutney and sauces with it. I jazz it up all right.”
Her artistic streak, she recalls, was apparent even as a schoolgirl. Art was never her friend’s strength, while maths was not hers, so they struck a bargain.
“She used to say she was no good at art. So, what happened was, she passed me her piece of paper, and that was her art done. And for that I used to pass her my hardest maths. So we had we had this going. I did her lot, and she did hard maths.”
“Math, I used to hate that. As long as I knew that one and one was two, that was enough for me.”
For Pat, the secret to reaching 97 and still living independently is simple.
“Keeping busy. It's no good sitting in this chair and just thinking that life is gone. You've got to do something. You've got get on with it.
“I do not want to go and live amongst two or 30 other old people and old ladies. I'm an old lady myself. I know what problems they have,” she quips. “I'm very happy here.”
