Geelong Football Club’s longest-serving supporter Jean Reynolds passes away aged 109

Jean Reynolds, Geelong football club’s longest-serving supporter, has died aged 109. The super-fan, who attended the Cats’ 1925 premiership, was remembered by family as a “wonderful and caring mother”

Geelong Cats’ longest-serving supporter, Jean Reynolds has passed away aged 109 years on Tuesday.

The super-fan is being remembered as a “wonderful and caring mother, grandmother and great-grandmother” by her family.

“She was “full of enthusiasm, very family oriented and loved children,” son Neville Burge said.

Ms Reynolds attended the 1925 grand final when Geelong defeated Collingwood and had been a passionate supporter ever since.

Last year in celebration of her 108th birthday, Ms Reynolds met her favourite player Patrick Dangerfield and was given a guard of honour by the players.

April 14, 2024. Geelong vs. North Melbourne at GMHBA Stadium, Geelong. Jean Reynolds with Geelong skipper Patrick Dangerfield before todays game. Pic: Michael Klein

“She’s the longest Geelong football club member,” Mr Burge said.

“Her whole room is full of football memorabilia,” including her pride and joy, a Cats jumper signed by the team.

“She was on her walker but she looked a million bucks that day,” her son said.

Ms Reynolds was born at a home in Fyans St, South Geelong, in 1916.

Supplied photo of Jean in her 20s on the left with her sisters Phyllis and Pearl. Photo was taken around 1938-40. Picture: Brad Fleet

Ms Reynolds had three sons, Neville, Clyde and Gregory.

She is survived by five grandchildren, nine great-grandchildren and five great-great-grandchildren and had been married twice.

Jean Reynolds with her son Neville Burge celebrating her 108th birthday at Highton Gardens Care Community. Picture: Brad Fleet

Throughout her life, she worked as a florist and at a laundromat.

She also managed a milk bar on Minerva Rd in Herne Hill and owned a fruit and vegetable shop on Upper Skene St in Newtown.

After turning 100, Ms Reynolds became a bit of a Geelong celebrity, featuring in newspaper, radio and television stories.

“She loved the glory,” Mr Burge said.

Highton's Jean Reynolds was the oldest supporter of the Geelong Football Club.

Ms Reynolds walked everywhere, “I bought a car when I was 16 and I had the car in the garage.

“I didn’t have a licence at the time, and I said to mum, ‘I’ll show you how to drive’.

“It was a little sports car. She got in the car … I didn’t tell her to put her foot on the clutch and the brake to stop it and it ran straight into the brick wall.

“Every since that day she said, ‘I’m never driving again’,” Mr Burge remembered fondly.

Ms Reynolds lived in aged care at Highton Gardens Care Community.

“She’s a large part of my life. I went to see her every Saturday, she was in the home 20 years- she was obviously well known in the home and they loved her there,” Mr Burge said.

“I supported her and she supported me. We were the only constants in eachother’s lives.”

Jean Reynolds celebrating her 108th birthday at Highton Gardens Care Community. Picture: Brad Fleet

Before her death, Ms Reynolds was believed to be Geelong’s oldest person.

Australia’s oldest living person is 111 years.

Originally published as Geelong Football Club’s longest-serving supporter Jean Reynolds passes away aged 109