Calista centenarian dedicated to community

A Calista great-grandmother who was “absolutely dedicated” to the Kwinana community has celebrated her 100th birthday.

Violet Burton received congratulatory letters from the Queen, Julia Gillard and Colin Barnett during a special party attended by friends, family and staff at Banksia Park nursing home, where she has lived for the past 12 years.

Mrs Burton spent many years working with the Kwinana Heritage Group, which is responsible for the running of Medina’s historical house, Smirks Cottage, and worked tirelessly to help establish Kwinana’s Meals on Wheels service.

Son Max said the centenarian was very caring, extremely wise and had a “wonderful sense of humour”.

“She gets along great with everyone at the nursing home,” he said. “The nursing staff just adore her.”

Mr Burton said it was no surprise that his mother had reached her 100th year as her older sister Hilda Jecks lived until she was 102.

Born in Middle Swan in 1913, Mrs Burton moved to Kwinana in the 1960s where she and husband Harry ran Burton’s Butchers. She later worked as a dental nurse before becoming a mum to Max and Harry.