Victor Harbor woman Pat Cheadle has celebrated her 90th birthday with family, friends, and fellow Harbor Village residents.
Patricia Anne McLaughlin was born at Hednesford, Staffordshire, England on January 31, 1935.
She was the youngest of four girls, her parents being William and Sarah McLaughlin.
She attended St Joseph’s Catholic School in Hednesford until she was 15 years old, when she began working as a shop assistant – something she enjoyed particularly as it meant meeting lots of people.
Her favourite hobbies were ballroom dancing and riding her bicycle.
“I lived in the country and there were beautiful rides,” she said.
It was at a dance when 18-year-old Pat met Arthur – someone who matched her dancing talent and passion.
“It was exercise, it was entertainment, and we couldn’t afford to go on big holidays back then,” Pat said.
It was not long before the couple were engaged, then married on August 15, 1953 at Our Lady of Lourdes Church, Hednesford – then along came their first daughter, Carol.
In 1961, Pat, Arthur, and Carol moved to Australia.
“Arthur wanted to come to Australia before we met, and he was going to get transferred (for work),” Pat said.
“Our daughter had bronchitis every October, and the doctor said we needed to take her to a warmer climate – but he didn’t mean Australia.”
They were housed in a motel for 10 days before they bought a house in Elizabeth Vale, where they lived for 58 years.
Arthur built onto the house as more space was needed, including when their second daughter, Sharon, was born.
“We had a great social life and we were still keen dancers, we had great neighbours, and we used to entertain a lot,” Pat said.
Pat worked at the Lyell McEwin Hospital in catering, enjoying meeting the people she served food to, and this was her last job before retiring.
She loved spending time with family and friends, participating in sewing classes, and knitting and embroidering various works.
Over the years, the family would enjoy holidays in Victor Harbor, and they realised it would be a great place to live as well.
“A dear friend moved to Port Elliot, but she passed away before I got here,” Pat said.
“It’s so friendly and peaceful in Victor Harbor, and we love the people here.”
Currently, along with their two daughters, Pat and Arthur have two grandchildren and two great-grandchildren.
“My greatest achievement is my family – they’re so good to us, and our grandchildren and great-grandchildren look after us,” she said.
