BIOGRAPHY

Tate was born in Kentish Town, London, England, on 19 August 1910. In 1921, she moved from London to Australia and attended West Leederville Primary School. Shortly after, she and her parents, James and Daisy Cope, along with her three siblings, moved to Subiaco. After attending Subiaco Primary School and Perth Girls School, she won a scholarship to Kay’s Commercial College. Initially, her mother was reluctant to let her go because the family couldn’t afford the books.

Tate later worked for a company that made hair-curling machines and in a real estate office. However, a trip to the Perth Royal Show in 1930 changed the course of her life. There, she met an old school friend, Maude, who was dating a man named Frank Tate. Maude introduced Ivy to Harry Tate, Frank’s brother. Ivy and Harry married at St. Mary’s Church in West Perth in 1934. The newlywed couple purchased a cottage in Subiaco. Their son Maurice was born in 1938, followed by their second son Robert in 1943. The young family then moved to Floreat. In the 1960s, they built a new house in Floreat, where Ivy lived until she moved to an aged care center in September 2018. She impressed upon her family the importance of having a hobby and was a founding member of the Floreat Croquet Club. Other hobbies she enjoyed included dressmaking and tennis.

Tate celebrated her 110th birthday with cake and champagne, surrounded by her family.

Tate passed away in Perth, Western Australia, on 6 December 2021, at the age of 111 years, 109 days. She was survived by her son Maurice, four grandchildren, and eight great-grandchildren.

RECOGNITION

Her age was verified by Dr. Andrew Holmes and Chris Law, and validated by the ESO on 11 November 2020.

On 30 December 2020, following the passing of 111-year-old Mabel Crosby, she became the oldest living woman in Australia, at the age of 110 years, 133 days.

On 20 July 2021, following the passing of 111-year-old Dexter Kruger, she became the oldest living person in Australia, at the age of 110 years, 335 days.

Following her passing, Ina Reid succeeded her as the country’s oldest living resident.

ATTRIBUTION

* “Ivy celebrates 110th birthday” – Post Newspaper, 22 August 2020

* “TATE Ivy Obituary” – The West Announcements

GALLERY