Apr 10, 2024

A Great-Grandmother’s Journey: From Cinema Screens to Centenarian Celebrations

A Great-Grandmother’s Journey: From Cinema Screens to Centenarian Celebrations
Xavier Jacobs celebrated her 100th birthday at the Carinity Brookfield Green residential aged care community in Brisbane [Source: Carinity Aged Care].

A bilingual great-grandmother who owned a cinema and was a violinist and gymnastics instructor, Xavier Jacobs can now add centenarian to her life resume.

A resident of the Carinity Brookfield Green aged care community in Brisbane, Xavier turned 100 on 8 April, 2024.

She was born in Pietersburg, South Africa in 1924, and was one of five sisters.

The only surviving sibling, Xavier, is bilingual, speaking both English and Afrikaans.

When Xavier was 16, she applied to join the army but was refused because she was considered too young. Xavier met her husband Tobias Jacobs, a railway clerk, in Pietersburg. 

They married there in February 1947, at the age of 23. The couple had four children but tragically, their daughter passed away three days after birth.

Their three sons – Kenneth (75), Trevor (71) and Brian (70) – all went on to become engineers.

During her working life Xavier served in administrative positions as a shorthand typist then an office worker for the railway – and owned businesses including a cinema.

She was also a gymnastics instructor and played the violin.

Xavier’s husband passed away at the age of 60 which left her widowed. She moved to Pretoria to be closer to her children and grandchildren and played an active and loving role in their lives.

Xavier loved to bake and always provided the family with delicious cakes. When the families went on holiday, she baked tins of a variety of biscuits to take with them.

A keen knitter, Xavier spoiled her grandchildren with knitted baby and toddler clothes. In her later years she kept all the family’s feet warm and was famous for her bed socks and knitted blankets.

Over the years Xavier’s three sons immigrated to Australia so she decided to relocate in 2011, at the age of 87.

Xavier’s sons and daughters-in-law have gifted her 10 grandchildren – with six great-grandchildren added to the family tree more recently.

Xavier likes to socialise and can be found chatting with Carinity Brookfield Green residents and staff or enjoying activities. She enjoys going out for coffee, watching movies, walks and staying active.

Described as a “real lady”, Xavier has always had a good sense of humour and is very much loved by her extended Carinity Brookfield Green family.

Leave a Reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

Advertisement
Advertisement
Advertisement

99 year old War Veteran reflects ahead of Anzac Day: “I joined up as a boy and came back a man”.

99 year old War Veteran and aged care resident “Gunner” (Wolfe), reflects on his life of service, “It was kill or be killed” and shares his gratitude from life experiences “I joined up as a boy and came back a man. I’m very proud of what I achieved”. #Anzacday #LestWeForget Read More

Elderly Couple Highly Distressed After Being Deliberately ‘Coughed-On’ By Youths

An elderly couple from the Hunter Region of NSW has been left “highly distressed” after they were deliberately coughed-on by a young man who was in a car full of friends. Police were told that a white Nissan Navara that was driving along Victoria Parade, Nelson Bay, slowed down before pulling up alongside the elderly... Read More

Contemporary spiritual support essential in aged care

Meaningful Ageing Australia is launching several initiatives this week to boost understanding about the importance of spiritual care for people’s quality of life as they age. It has released a joint position statement, developed with Leading Age Services Australia (LASA) and Aged and Community Services Australia (ACSA), calling for the universal acceptance of the importance... Read More
Advertisement