FRANKA Legeny is continuing her family’s tradition of longevity.
Family, residents and staff helped the Brightwater Madeley resident mark her 100th birthday at a morning tea last Thursday.
Mrs Legeny’s sister Milena almost reached 101 years of age and brother Bozo lived to 96.
One of six children, the centenarian came to WA from her native Split in Croatia as a 24-year-old to help her only brother on his Manjimup farm.
She married Croatian musician Frank Legeny, giving birth to son Johnnie (who died in childhood), and daughter Ana. Two more children, Mila and Frano, were born when the family returned to Croatia in 1948.
Frank died in 1972 and 10 years later, Mrs Legeny came back to Perth to be with her family.
She settled in North Perth, moving to Madeley three years ago.
She has nine grandchildren and three great-grandchildren.
Daughter Ana said times had been tough when her mother first came to WA, preparing meals for workers on the farm.
In later life, her pastimes included lawn bowling, gardening and painting.