Now, 86 years later, she has returned as a resident in the building, because it is now the Redroofs Lifecare Rest Home.
‘‘It’s like I’ve come full circle,’’ she chuckled.
‘‘When I get wheeled out of here this time, it’ll probably be on a gurney to an ordinary old hearse — nothing too flashy.
‘‘But that’s a long way off yet ... hopefully.’’
Mrs Walters has lived in Dunedin her whole life and worked as a seamstress and dressmaker for several different clothing manufacturers.
She was also very community-minded, doing volunteer work for Plunket and Hato Hone St John Ambulance.
When it came time to move into a retirement facility, most people resisted it with all their strength.
But Mrs Walters embraced it because it was a place that had meaning for her.
‘‘It never bothered me. I always knew I would be welcomed here.
‘‘I’ve really enjoyed my time here.’’
It also had a great social environment and it allowed her to continue with many of her passions in life, which included line dancing, tai chi and yoga.
She particularly enjoyed Redroofs’ 110-year celebrations yesterday.
This year marks 110 since the Salvation Army bought the Redroofs site which functioned as a maternity home for many years, before being turned into an aged-care facility.
To celebrate, residents and staff gathered to plant a commemorative fruit tree in the garden and held a market day for residents and community members.
