She raised her seven siblings from age 13, nursed her husband through dementia, has seen war, floods and famine and continues to care for her 67-year-old disabled son, at the ripe old age of 100.
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There's no stopping Lorn's Marie Nixon who celebrated this birthday milestone on Wednesday.
This phenomenal twice great grandmother has led a remarkable, challenging and at times sad life, but continues to smile and 'get on with it.'
Mrs Nixon marked her brilliant century surrounded by family and friends which included a special surprise from her long time Roy Street neighbours who gathered at the home of Paul and Leanne Mayers to sing happy birthday.
Born and bred in Ballina on July 8, 1920, Mrs Nixon moved to Maitland with her husband Robert in 1949 when he took up a job with the council as an electrical linesman.
The couple came with their three young children. Two other siblings were born after the family settled in Lorn.
No stranger to tough times, Mrs Nixon, the eldest daughter of eight children, lost her mother when she was just 13 and was left to raise her brothers and sisters.
She soldiered on with a young family when her husband went to Palestine during World War II.
In 1971 her life took another tragic turn when son Brian, then 18, suffered severe head injuries in a motor bike accident. She has been his full time carer since.
But it doesn't end there for this stoic woman.
Her husband was diagnosed with dementia and she nursed him through his illness until he passed in 1999 and five years ago she lost her son Allan to cancer.
Yes, life for this centenarian has certainly had its highs and lows but in Mrs Nixon's words 'the best thing to do is to be accepting, try not to worry and make the best of what you have.'
"I'm happy and proud to be turning 100," she said.
"I'm going a little blind and deaf but I'm satisfied with what I have and 105 is coming up."
Mrs Nixon has five children, 11 grandchildren, 13 great grand children and 21 great great grandchildren.
"She has a pretty special relationship with grandchildren," said daughter Janette Van Haren.
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"There is not one of the girls who don't have a coathanger in their house that wasn't crocheted by mum," she said.
Mrs Nixon enjoys her crocheting, knitting, gardening and had previously enjoyed lawn bowls. She also walks four kilometres on Thursdays and Sundays when son Michael takes her shopping.
But one of the biggest joys in her life was driving taxis in Maitland for 19 years.
She said she made many friends on the job, counselled many passengers and saw and heard a lot of things she can't repeat.
"I certainly heard some stories and I couldn't get over how people thought the taxi driver could help solve their problems," she said. "I'd just try and say something that would make them happier. It was a great occupation - I really loved it," Mrs Nixon said.
Sadly she had to resign from her driving job when Mr Nixon fell ill.
"I feel very humbled and have to thank everyone for all they have done.
"I've been lucky to have good health and I look forward to keep going and be sensible and live a good life," Mrs Nixon said.
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