Family pays tribute to beloved Ipswich supercentenarian Elizabeth Jordan

The son of Ipswich’s oldest resident, supercentenarian Elizabeth Jordan, has shared endearing memories of his mother — including how she would play on the floor with her great-grandchildren — following her death this week.

Widely loved Ipswich resident Elizabeth Jordan is being remembered by family as a “very social person” who kept the family together, following her death this week aged 110.

Born in 1912 and raised in West Ipswich, Elizabeth ‘Liz’ Jordan was understood to be the seventh oldest person in the country and became a supercentenarian on January 15 this year.

The adored mother, grandmother, and great-grandmother passed away early Sunday morning, March 6.

Elizabeth ‘Liz’ Jordan loved attending the Ipswich Show with her family. Picture: File

Liz’ son Peter Jordan said that, more than anything else, she loved socialising with friends and family.

“She loved getting down on the ground with her grandchildren and great-grandchildren,” Peter said.

“She was close to the ground — she was a small lady — so it wasn’t hard for her to get down and interact.

“That’s what kept her going. The socialising and being involved in a number of organisations.”

Peter said he loved to hear his mum talk about her passions: the cakes she cooked, the items she sewed to sell at stores, and the time she shared with her friends.

Liz enjoyed playing lawn bowls with her great-grandchildren. Picture: Supplied

He recalls her being a “very competitive lady” who adored entering her crafts in the Ipswich Show each year and baking goods for her loved ones to enjoy.

“I’ve got lovely memories of her standing beside wedding cakes for her grandchildren that she baked and iced,” Peter said.

“She used to make our Christmas puddings and our Christmas cakes. She loved to make cakes for the children’s birthdays.

“She was very good at keeping the family together.”

Elizabeth ‘Liz’ Jordan lived at the home she built with her husband at Ebbw Vale until just last year. Picture: File

The Ipswich supercentenarian was very active in the church all her life — serving as a church organist, a Sunday school leader, and more. She also donated her time to working in a Lifeline shop as a helper and collecting money for various charities around Ebbw Vale.

Liz credited her long and full life to her strong network of family and friends and her sturdy commitment to keeping active, eating plenty of fruit and vegetables, and steering clear of alcohol; values instilled in her by her father when she was a girl.

Peter, Joseph, Elizabeth, and Valerie on Liz and Joseph's 60th wedding anniversary. Picture: Supplied

She had five siblings and, as was often the case for the eldest girl in a family, left school at the age of 14 to tend to home duties.

When she was in her early 20s, she married a young man named Joseph. Liz built a home with him at Ebbw Vale in 1936, where she resided until just last year and — remarkably — mowed the lawn until her 99th year.

Elizabeth Jordan at the Ipswich Show in 2019. Picture: File

She was a kind and devoted mother to her two children Peter and Valerie, a generous carer to Joseph for 40 years after he developed arthritis, a “down-to-earth” cook, and a skilled dressmaker.

“My father had ill health for most of their marriage so she did sewing to help with the income, and she was very frugal with the money, cooking and making meals that weren’t expensive but were very tasty,” Peter said.

After her husband died in 1996 aged 87, she spent her days talking with and seeing her two children, her five grandchildren, her nine great-grandchildren, and her many friends.

She kept active until the end, playing the organ, bingo and indoor bowls, leading clubs, and attending church every Sunday.

Liz lived out her final months at the Brassall aged care facility but was in regular contact with her friends and family via phone, video chat, and in person when possible.

A funeral will be held for Liz 11am Thursday morning at Jacaranda St Uniting Church.