Alice Sinclair had "no idea" about the celebrations before they occurred, but for daughter Janette Philip, it was more than 18 months in the making.
Mrs Philip said the timing was right for the big event, and she arranged for more than 40 of her direct family members to attend. Thirty-one came from as far away as Perth.
"Our mother is always full of energy; she’s doing her final cavalcade very soon, we thought it would be best to surprise her when she’s still a very fit and healthy person."
A special 90th birthday dinner was held at the Mosgiel RSA on Wednesday, and a This is Your Life-style grand tour yesterday.
The trip began at the Wyllies Crossing School site, the home of the first school Mrs Sinclair attended, and also where she played tennis for 40 years.
Other destinations included Tirohanga Camp to view the Old Hall, where Mrs Sinclair met future husband Andrew Leonard Sinclair over a game of table tennis.
"You could say table tennis is responsible for our family," Mrs Philip said.
From there, there was a trip through Mosgiel to places such as the St John’s Building where she was a volunteer ambulance officer for 20 years and Taieri College, where she taught cake decorating for several years. They also held a family gathering at the Dunedin Railway Station and then Larnach Castle.
There was also a special bonfire held out at the back of her Mosgiel property. This evening more than 120 friends and family will attend a marquee hoedown at the house.
Mrs Sinclair has four children and a foster son, along with 10 grandchildren and 15 great-grandchildren.
"It’s been absolutely terrific. I never expected seeing so many of my family from Australia," Mrs Sinclair said.
She enjoyed the trip down memory lane.
"I didn’t know they were going to do that for me, but it was a really good surprise."
An avid horse-rider who will be participating in her 33rd and final cavalcade next year, Mrs Sinclair has simple advice for a healthy lifestyle.
"Just keep moving. You’re not going anywhere if you’re sitting down all the time."
