BIOGRAPHY

Mabel Jenkins was born in Auckland, Auckland Region, New Zealand, on 23 September 1908, to parents George Edwin Carr and Edith Caundle. She had five siblings: Wyn, Edith Edna Horspool (1909–1982), Sybil Eileen Harris (1913–2004), Herbert George Edwin Carr (1916–2003), and Bob.

In 1933, she married Laurence Olsen Jenkins (1908–1995). In 1937, she relocated to Hamilton when her husband decided to move south and open a menswear store. Initially, the couple lived in rented houses with rotting wooden floors in Hamilton East. Later, they purchased a plot of land near Lake Rotoroa. They built a few houses on the property and settled in the area, remaining close to the lake.

A dedicated supporter of the National Party, she met the party leader and Prime Minister, John Key, in July 2015. She celebrated her 110th birthday in September 2018, receiving a visit from local Member of Parliament Tim Macindoe on her special day.

Mabel Jenkins passed away in Hamilton, Waikato, New Zealand, on 7 July 2019, at the age of 110 years, 287 days.

RECOGNITION

On 23 September 2018, she celebrated her 110th birthday, just six days after Linda Wiggins marked the same milestone. This occasion marked the first time New Zealand had two living supercentenarians.

On 2 December 2018, following the passing of 110-year-old Linda Wiggins, she became the oldest living person in New Zealand, at the age of 110 years, 70 days. She held the title until her own passing in July 2019, when she was succeeded by Lola Ellen de la Haye (2 November 1909 – 9 July 2019).

Her age has not been validated.

ATTRIBUTION

* Bertha Mabel (Carr) Jenkins (1908 – 2019) – WikiTree

* “Memories of royalty, tornadoes and hospital drama” – NZ Herald, 31 July 2014

* “John Key opens electoral office with 106-year-old Hamilton resident” – Waikato Times, 23 July 2015

* 110th birthday – Tim Macindoe for Hamilton City Council (Facebook), 23 September 2018

* Bertha JENKINS Obituary – Waikato Times, July 2019

GALLERY