The Dunedin South Ladies Probus group held a special birthday celebration — her actual birthday is on June 23 — for Joan at St Peter’s Church Hall yesterday.
She credits her long life to ‘‘always being active’’.
She remains a keen gardener, swims regularly at the St Clair Hot Salt Water Pool, is still able to drive her car and keeps her mind limber through her contributions to the Otago Art Society over the past six decades, which was celebrated two years ago with the renaming of a gallery space as the Joan Hardey Gallery.
Dunedin South Ladies Probus secretary Lenette Grant said Joan was an ‘‘inspiration to us all’’.
‘‘We’re so very fond of her, and we’re in awe of her ability to keep going.
‘‘In fact, we have been informed that she recently sat her driver’s licence — and she got it renewed for another two years.
‘‘In her youth, she was a keen tramper. Knowing her, she will keep on driving along.’’
She has been a member of Probus for 32 years, and has served on the committee for four years.
‘‘She’s very sharp and rarely misses a meeting.’’
