Supercentenarian Profile

Maudie Wilson

Born:

1903-03-23

Invercargill, Southland Region

New Zealand

Died:

2013-10-24

Invercargill, Southland Region

New Zealand

Frances Maude “Maudie” Wilson (née McRobie) was a New Zealand supercentenarian who was the nation’s oldest living resident at the time of her passing.

BIOGRAPHY

Wilson was born in Invercargill, Southland Region, New Zealand, on 23 March 1903. Her parents were William Dawson McRobie (1869–1945) and Mary.

She moved to Hyde after marrying her husband, William (Billie) Charles Wilson, in August 1929 at the newly built St Andrew’s Church in South Invercargill. Together, they ran the district’s grocery store. Later, they owned a shop in Riverton before finally settling in Clyde, where they purchased an orchard. The couple had three children: Fay Frazer, Frances Tait, and Lyndsay.

At the age of 106, she was reported to be quite deaf and suffering from failing eyesight, though she never complained about her health or her vision. When asked at the time whether she thought there might be someone in New Zealand who was older than she was, she replied, “I wouldn’t know them and I wouldn’t want to. They might be more dotty than I am.”

As she approached her 108th birthday, it was reported that she remained highly mobile, with no walking stick in sight. She was described as “fiercely independent” and continued to live at home, supported only by hired help who assisted with occasional odd jobs around the house. When informed that she was the nation’s oldest resident, she responded, “Oh my goodness, no. I don’t want that title.” She did not regard her longevity as an achievement, believing instead that it was simply a matter of good fortune. She returned to Invercargill around the age of 108.

Maudie Wilson passed away in Invercargill, on 24 October 2013, at the age of 110 years, 215 days. She was survived by her three children, as well as nine grandchildren, 25 great-grandchildren and four great-great grandchildren.

RECOGNITION

Following the passing of 109-year-old Lena Marie Ray (19 January 1902 – 14 March 2011), she became the oldest known living person in New Zealand. Upon her own passing, she was succeeded by Peg Griffin.

Her age has not been validated.