Mrs Bolwell celebrated her 100th birthday yesterday with family and friends at home at Frances Hodgkins Retirement Village in St Clair.
Born Ivy Arthur in Dunedin on February 5, 1909, she met her future husband Edward Bolwell, later of Bolwells Butchers, as a 16-year-old when they were both at Kensington School in South Dunedin.
The pair married at the Milford Gardens in Andersons Bay in 1932. Her husband died more than 30 years ago, Mrs Boswell said.
The former clothing showroom assistant, who lived in her own home until she was 95, said she was amazed it had already been five years since she moved in to the retirement village.
"Time goes so quick now."
She did not know what to attribute her longevity to, but was thankful she had always enjoyed good health.
"I've been so lucky. I've never had anything wrong with me."
She also suspected a love of golf - she was a longtime member of the St Clair Golf Club - and a healthy social life had helped.
While some memories were harder to recall, Mrs Bolwell was confident of one thing yesterday - she was looking forward to a small gin and tonic as a birthday treat.
"Oh, I can't wait for that."
