Grand lady lived through many of the region's historic moments | Coffs Coast News | Local News in Coffs Coast

HAVING lived until she was only days short of her 108th birthday, Annie Cooper (nee Tyler) was certainly one of the Bellingen Shire's grand old ladies.

Born in Guy Fawkes in 1901, Annie was three years old when her parents bought land at Glenferneigh, near Tyringham and established a dairy farm and stone fruit orchard.

The third of seven children, Annie went to school in Bellingen and then started nursing at the local hospital before being called home to help care for her younger siblings on the busy farm. Harvest time was particularly busy with all hands on deck to pick, sort and pack fruit for transport in the family's old Chevy truck to the Grafton markets.

It was not all work, however, and Annie became well-known in the district for her dancing, tennis and trout-fishing skills. She was also a formidable euchre opponent.

In 1947, after the death of both her parents and to the surprise of many, Annie married retired sawmiller Harold Cooper. The couple moved to rented land on the Grafton-Armidale Road and began growing potatoes

Vegetables and prize gladiolas also grew in abundance in the productive garden.

In 1965 Annie sold the Glenferneigh homestead and the couple moved to Urunga, taking up golf and lawn bowls.

They enjoyed life on the coast very much and eventually bought land at Yellow Rock, built a new home and continued their active participation in golf and bowls.

After Harold's death in 1981 Annie kept herself even busier by becoming a regular Red Cross volunteer and a familiar face at the Anglican Op-Shop in Bellingen.

After her 100th birthday in 2001, which she celebrated playing bowls, her family persuaded her to move to Bellorana Hostel. It was not an easy transition for this independent-spirited lady but staff spoilt her.

Annie had an excellent memory and recalled many moments in the shire's history, half of which she lived through. She will be remembered fondly by many.