Altona North’s Caterina Bartone celebrated her 100th birthday on January 23.
Born in Soriano Calabro in the Italian region of Calabria, Ms Bartone was the eldest of nine children.
Her niece, Gina Bartone, said her aunty acted as a mother to her siblings as she was the eldest, and a girl.
Ms Barton excelled at school and reached grade 5, which in her region at the time was considered quite an accomplishment.
Showing an aptitude for maths, she was later put in charge of the family’s general store.
Ms Barton migrated to Australia with her mother in the 1960s.
A long-term resident of Altona, she lived at home before moving to Marina nursing home in Altona North last year.
She didn’t marry but has 13 nieces and nephews, 23 great nieces and nephews, and eight great great nieces and nephews, all of whom she pampers and adores.
Ms Barton credits her longevity to a traditional Mediterranean diet, including lots of legumes and green leafy vegetables.
She also had access to homegrown fruits and vegetables, which she credits for her long life.
