From Tunisia to Claremont Terrace for centenarian Angela

McKinnon’s Angela  is one of the newest members of Bolton Clarke’s Centenarian Club.

The Bolton Clarke Claremont Terrace resident was born on 6 December 1924 in the Republic of Tunisia, where her father Michael was stationed as a merchant seaman.

Later the family returned to their home in Qala, Malta, where Angela spent her earliest years until the death of her mother left her father unable to care for the six siblings. 

Her eldest brother married and moved to the mainland while her two other brothers went to an orphanage. Angela and her sister, Rose, were sent to live with nuns in the local convent.

Recognising her potential, one of the nuns subsidised her education, supporting her to go on to train as a pharmacist and later a nurse.

It was while nursing she was introduced to the Matron’s son, Joseph, and the pair were married in the early 1940s. 

Joe was a jeweller and together they saved carefully to emigrate to Australia, where they both had family.

On arrival they rented a home in Glen Huntley in Melbourne, eventually saving enough to buy a home at McKinnon.  She cared for Joe at home there and continued to live at home until her move to Claremont Terrace 17 years ago.