“It’s Just Like Old Times...” Marj Celebrates 90 Years

Marj Ryland knew something was going on, but wasn’t exactly sure what. With a ‘surprise’ birthday gathering organised at cluBarham on Monday by her family, the best kept secret in town was not so when a ‘I’ll see you on Monday...’ conversation slip last week led to a clue to at least two people who were coming to her birthday luncheon. But how many more guests were invited wasn’t revealed until she arrived on the day. 

With a room filled with over 20 excited guests including family, bowling ladies, church friends and next door neighbours arriving early to be ready for the grand entrance of the birthday guest, an overwhelmed Marj was delighted with joyous tributes, flowers and cards on arrival for her ‘surprise’ and in marking the special occasion a 90th cake was cut for all guests to enjoy.

Born at Nurse Rosen’s in Koondrook in 1930, Marj resides in the Barham township. 

Throughout the decades, life for Marj has been a happy one for many of the years. Enjoying getting out into the garden, a love of cooking and knitting. Family and friendships are also very precious and special to her. “Family and little ones keep me going. We’ve had some lovely times.

“I have four adult children, three boys and one girl. Fifteen grandchildren, 19 great grandchildren and three great, great granddaughters.

A milestone of 70 years of marriage to Alf (recently passed), a long loving journey, was shared with many memories. 

Marj shared a little more of the story in the lead up to the big day…

“I knew it was on. One lady I’d met at the church said ‘I’ll see you Monday’, another lady turned to her and said ‘Marj might not know it’s on...’

“I said ‘Yes, I know’, but I don’t know whose coming, but I now know the two of you are,” Marj shared with laughter.

One guest said, ‘they let the cat out of the bag,’ and laughed too.

With a week of celebrations with her son and daughter and their families over recent weekends, Saturday, Marj was happy to just keep things low-key.

“I’d said to my family, ‘no party, but it’s been lovely to get out and see all the girls because I don’t see them, it’s great.

“It’s just like old times...” Marj said.