Long before Kornelia Shore called South Hurstville home, she was living in Hungary.
Born in 1919 during a time of communist take-over, she was the youngest of seven sisters and two brothers. Life living in a small village was tough, with no electricity or running water.
Mrs Shore's father died when she was young, leaving her siblings and mother alone to fend for themselves.
Double tragedy for the family unfolded at age 19, when her mother was taken by the Germans and killed for being Jewish.
An English family took her in, and she became their kitchen maid.
It was in London she met and fell in love with her husband Samuel, and they married in 1947. He died age 63 in 1978 on her birthday, February 23.
Together they worked in their family business, a drycleaners in the city.
They had one son, Brian, three grandchildren, eight great-children and one great-great grandson.
Mrs Shore and her younger brother, 98, are the only remaining siblings of their family,
The resident of Anglicare Mary Andrews Village celebrated part one of her milestone birthday on Tuesday, with a vanilla sponge cake, with the lively concert tunes of wartime melodies and a bit of ABBA.
Mrs Shore will also celebrate with her whole family on Saturday.
Up until only two years ago, she had rather the competitive streak and enjoyed playing cards. Her greatest joy is her family.
Son Brian says his mum was always a hard-working, generous person.
"Everybody loves her, she will do anything for you," he said.
"She loves cake and has a marvellous appetite. She doesn't remember what happens yesterday, but she enjoys life on the day."