Life lessons from a 93-year-old
We can all learn a thing or two from 93-year-old South Australian Eunice Leach. A child of the depression era, Eunice has seen countless changes to the world in her lifetime. But throughout it all, she has embraced life and that’s no more evident than now. In her nineties, Eunice is in great health, has all her wits (and more) about her and looking for her next project. Over60 sat down with Eunice to learn all we could from an extraordinary lady that has plenty of life experience and pearls of wisdoms to share.
1. Always keep learning. Education is important and will last you your whole life.
My mother taught us (I had four brothers and one sister) but my older brother and I had to work during the day and we had lessons at night. When I think back on it was a very long day for a nine year old.
I had three years of proper schooling. I was top of my class when I was there but I had to leave. I was so sad to leave school because I loved it. After that I had most of my education by correspondence. Yes, I was still doing it even after I was married at 19 because I had an ambition to be better educated.
I took a course for dressmaking and I had to go into town which was eight kilometres, no eight miles it was back then. Sometimes I rode my bike, other times I used to have to gig – that’s a horse drawn vehicle – because I didn’t have my driver’s license. I passed and got right up to first year tailoring. So I had that skill for the rest of my life, actually. I used to teach dress-making later too.
When we were bringing up our family we moved towns as there was no high school or other further education for the children. We wanted a better education for our children, one that we would give them better opportunities than we had when we were younger. It was very important for us as parents. I have four children and they’ve all got good job and done so well.
2. Never let “age” be a barrier to do things you want to
After my husband died at 84, it took me two years before I decided what I would do. I was asked through the church if I could help set up an op-shop, and I did. I had a little car and it was about five minutes away from where I lived. I got very involved in that and I did a lot of work there. I did all sorts of things, I use to take all the dolls home and redo them. I would take the jewellery to get valued. But our op shop was for the community. It started off not making much money but slowly we got $65,000 dollars in one year! So that sort of thing I found out later in life I could do quite well.
I even got some awards from the council. I went to the government house and got interviewed on the radio. I did that for seven years. I always say nobody knew I was alive until I was 80!
3. Always challenge and stimulate your mind, especially the older you get
I recently moved to Victoria to be closer to my family. It has taken me awhile to get settled in here and I don’t know what I’m going to do yet. I did go to these community events run by the government for seniors but even though I really liked the people, I didn’t find quite enough stimulation there as most of it was sitting down things and things like that.
The people managing the place were absolutely terrific. They were lovely and they used to give me some jobs to do, mainly I just felt like I wanted to get up and do it! But after morning tea and lunch (which was supplied), it was just sitting for the afternoon and it was really not quite stimulating enough for me.
I know I can’t play tennis anymore, but I can still do many things. I’m looking for something that’s interesting and mentally stimulating so I decided not to go back and I’m looking for something else now.
4. Be close to your families
I’ve got a very supportive family. John, my son, used to live in South Australia and he was the only one left there. He wanted to move to Victoria, because he’s son and his grandchildren were here. My oldest Shirley was over here and my other daughter Jane’s children moved over here so we both decided to move to Victoria to be closer to family.
6. Talk to people, make friends and have your own interest
I love people and I love talking to people. I’m very interested in them. I think getting out there and joining in [is the key to positive ageing.] It’s good to be involved with people outside your home, because then you have your own interest. It’s important to have interests.
If you can do something, if you have a skill, share it. That’s terrific. Volunteer or do some community work. The people at the op shop still keep in touch. I get beautiful letters with their newsletters. I love to get that, I love to get letters. But I find now I’m not very good at writing, but I can ring so I ring.
7. Everything in moderation but don’t be miserable!
I think you’ve got to keep yourself fit and watch your diet.
I like a glass of wine occasionally but I don’t drink and I don’t smoke. If you’re thinking about health, probably moderation. You don’t have to be miserable though!
The doctor says to me you look about 15 years younger than you are, so there you go.
8. You never know what is going to happen in life. You need to make the most of all that you have.
My husband had a very serious heart attack when he was 47 and that made our life so different. It took that really strong man that I knew and changed him. But he was a determined man and he got himself back and lived until 84.
We did a lot of things after that – we went for a trip around Australia. I had to drive around and tow the caravan. I had to go out and buy a new car and a new caravan and then drive until he was clear to be able to drive again. That was pretty terrifying.
9. Embrace change
My husband had a seven year itch and wanted to move to somewhere new or do something new every now and then again. I never liked the changeover very much but I found out once I got there, I settled in very well. I found new communities to be a part of, new people to meet and new things to do.