Treve Mitchell’s centenary birthday was held at the village surrounded by family, friends, fellow residents and staff on October 30 with speeches followed by cake and refreshments.

Summerset By the Sea village manager Casey Hope said the village had gathered with Treve and her family to celebrate her truly remarkable milestone.

“Reaching a century is an extraordinary achievement, and Treve’s life is a testament to resilience, grace, and the quiet strength that inspires all of us,” Hope said.

Treve had lived at Summerset by the Sea since September 2015, when she and her husband – the late Jack ‘Jock’ Truscott Mitchell – moved into the facility’s serviced apartments.

“Together, they brought warmth and community spirit to Apartment 217, where Treve lived until her move to the care centre in November 2024,” Hope said. Summerset By the Sea first opened to residents in late June 2013.

1925 in Morrinsville

Treve Rose Mitchell (nee Larner) was born on October 31, 1925, in Hastings, to parents Leslie and Anne Larner.

“Later her parents were sheep farmers just south of Morrinsville in an area called Kiwitahi and they had five children,” said Treve’s eldest son Trevor Mitchell.

“She had three brothers and one sister. She was child number four and is the last one alive.”

Treve Mitchell (nee Larner), front right, pictured with her siblings. Photo / Supplied

Treve went to boarding school in Marton and moved with her family to Katikati’s now historic homestead – Athenree Homestead built by Ulster Irish settlers Hugh and Adela Stewart in 1879 – on Athenree Rd in her early 20s.

“Mum’s parents bought the Athenree Homestead in 1948 and sold it in 1952. It was when she was living there that she met my father from Waihi,” said Trevor.

Treve told Katikati News that she was invited to a dance at Waihī Beach.

“The neighbours along the road suggested to my sister and I that we go along. So I got all dressed up – stockings, high heel shoes and a fancy frock only to go down there and find them all in bikinis and shorts! So that was a bit of a shock.”

Found each other

With many of her friends already coupled up, they said they’d find her a partner.

“I found him and he found me,” said Treve of Jock.

“We met at the dance quite often after that.”

Jack ‘Jock’ Truscott Mitchell and his bride Treve on their wedding day in January 1949. Photo / Supplied

Jock had moved to Katikati in 1946 to begin a teaching job at what was then known as Katikati Central School No. 2. He taught at the school until 1982.

After Jock and Treve married in January 1949 in Waihi they rented a home in Katikati. The couple had three sons, Trevor, Jim and Ross.

Treve said after a while Jock announced that they were going to buy a piece of land to build a home at 20 Carisbrooke St.

“It cost 100 pounds – it was a lot of money back then. I can still remember when they put the foundations down and along came this little guy who walked around the concrete top with his footprints, saying: ‘I want a banger see’.” It was her oldest son Trevor, wanting a hammer to help out. The couple lived in the home for decades until they moved to Summerset by the Sea.

Mother and whitebaiter

Treve was a full-time mother to their children. Trevor said his mother was always at home “and we were well-fed”.

“In the whitebait season she would catch whitebait in the Uretara River and we’d come home and have them for lunch.”

Treve said life had gone by pretty quickly.

Treve Mitchell (nee Larner), when she was a young lady. Photo / Supplied

“When the boys came home, they got changed and went out in the back field and played rugby – time just went by.”

Being busy with the kids, Treve said she didn’t have many hobbies, and she never liked gardening.

“No, that was Jock – he had a veggie garden that would have fed half of Katikati”.

But she had knitted thousands of jerseys for newborn babies in the Katikati district over the years.

Instead, Treve said she always went wherever her husband went in life – and that included rugby fields and Katikati’s club kitchen to help out.

According to Western Bay of Plenty Community Archives Collection, Jock joined Katikati Rugby Club in 1948 as an experienced club player and was immediately appointed captain and Senior’s coach.

Jock played rugby until 1953 although he came out of retirement to play in the first televised match in New Zealand on July 25, 1954.

The All Black trialist, who was also a referee, was made a Katikati Rugby Club life member in 1980. Trevor said his father also served in the New Zealand Army in World War II.

“He was wounded three days before the war ended.”

Sharp and thankful

Treve, who today has eight grandchildren and 14 great-grandchildren, credits her long life to having the support of her late husband, and that of her three sons since her husband’s death 10 years ago.

“I’ve been lucky having my three sons around.”

When asked the secret to living to 100, Treve quipped: “Well, if I had the chance I wouldn’t”.

“I honestly don’t know. At 90, I wasn’t prepared for where I’m at now. But having my sons and daughters-in-law nearby has been the icing on the cake.”

Trevor said while his mother now had Macular Degeneration which affected her sight, she was still “sharp as a tack”.

“Every now and again she surprises us with what she can see – but her hearing is perfect.”

Daughter-in-law Kay Mitchell, son Trevor Mitchell, centenarian Treve Mitchell, son Ross Mitchell, and daughter-in-law Therese Mitchell. Photo / Merle Cave

At Treve’s 100th celebration, Trevor thanked Summerset by the Sea staff for looking after his mother. “We know she’s in very capable hands – we really appreciate what you do for her.”

Seen and valued

Hope said Treve had been more than a resident over the last decade.

“She’s been a cornerstone of our village,” said Hope. “Her gentle presence, thoughtful conversations, and unwavering kindness have touched the lives of staff and fellow residents alike. Whether it’s a quiet chat in the lounge or a cheerful wave in the hallway, Treve makes everyone feel seen and valued.”

Celebrating Treve’s milestone, Hope said they also honoured the legacy of love and connection that she had built at Summerset.

“Her journey reminds us of the importance of community, of cherishing each moment, and of living with dignity and joy.”