Mabel Crosby

BIOGRAPHY

Mabel Crosby was born in Sittingbourne, Kent, England, on 7 September 1909, to parents John and Janet. Her mother passed away at the age of 83, and her father, a survivor of the Gallipoli campaign, died at 72. She had three siblings: Janet, Hilda, and Stuart. She and her family arrived by boat from the UK in 1913, purchasing a farm near Newcastle, New South Wales. She had to walk miles to school, often through the bush. She left school at around age 12 and began her career as an apprentice dressmaker in the early 1920s.

In 1931, she married Ernulf Crosby and they had four children (Dorothy, Ruth, Stuart, and Robyne). Throughout her children’s childhoods, she made all their clothes, learning to be self-sufficient early in life. In the 1950s, she and her husband owned and operated a large poultry farm near Gosford. After her husband’s passing, she visited Queensland regularly starting in the 1970s. In 1984, she bought a house in Camp Hill, Brisbane, where she lived independently for more than 40 years. She moved into aged care at the age of 107. Their only son, Stuart, lost his eyesight at the age of 21. She accompanied him to blind bowls, and they did everything together. Her husband passed away in 1970, and her son in 2010.

At the age of 100, she was still able to mow the lawn. She attributed her long life to staying active. Robyne Bamberry, her daughter, shared some factors she believed contributed to her mother’s longevity. She noted her strong work ethic, that she never smoked, drank only sparingly, and, having been raised on a farm, the family ate mostly fresh fruits, vegetables, and other locally grown produce. In 2016, at the age of 107, she experienced a mild stroke, prompting doctors to recommend she move into aged care. That same year, she earned a place in the Guinness World Records by attending the largest gathering of centenarians, alongside the State Premier. Mabel’s hobbies included reading, knitting, crocheting, gardening, and listening to music. Even at 111, she continued to enjoy activities such as bingo, concerts, crosswords, carpet bowls, and a glass of wine during the facility’s happy hour. As of her 111th birthday, she was a resident of TriCare Sunnybank Hills Aged Care Residence.

Crosby passed away in Brisbane, Queensland, Australia, on 30 December 2020, at the age of 111 years, 114 days. She was survived by her three daughters, 10 grandchildren, 20 great-grandchildren, and nine great-great-grandchildren.

RECOGNITION

On 24 November 2019, following the passing of 110-year-old Agnes “Nessie” Kluckhenn, she became the oldest living person in Australia, at the age of 110 years, 78 days. She held the title for over a year, until her own passing in December 2020. Upon her passing, Dexter Kruger succeeded her as the nation’s oldest living resident, while Ivy Tate became the nation’s oldest living woman.

Crosby’s age was verified by Dr. Andrew Holmes and validated by the ESO on 2 July 2020.