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Amy Pearse: Groovy granny was full of life

Obituary of Amy Pearse; born 23 December 1905; died 15 July 2007. Amy Pearse, one of Avonsleigh’s longest living residents, will be remembered for her love of life.

The vivacious, 101-year-old died on Sunday, 15 July in hospital after contracting pneumonia. Her daughter, Maureen, said her body was just worn out and that it was her time to die.

Born Amy Kelly in Sterling [sic], Scotland, in December 1905, she immigrated with her family to Australia when she was just six years old. She grew up in Cobram in northern Victoria after her father was appointed as the congregational Minister for the town.

Amy attended the Presbyterian Ladies College in Melbourne before going on to study science at Melbourne University. But what Amy really wanted to do was draw and following this dream she won a three-year art scholarship to attend RMIT.

It was then that Amy was introduced to Len Pearse, a man who would become the love of her life. The couple was married in 1935 at the Box Hill Presbyterian Church.

Len was an ordained minister and soon after their marriage he took up an appointment at the Congregational Church in Castlemaine.

At the ripe old age of 74, Amy decided to learn to drive because the shops were too far away to walk to and she continued to drive until she was 94.

This pint-sized grandmother was full of energy and life and will be forever remembered as a groovy granny after the saying was posted on the front gate of her house.

Amy’s longevity has been attributed to the loving support of her children and grand children, her love of gardening, and her active church life.

Full story at the Ferntree Gully, Belgrave Mail, Victoria, Australia.