The honour was due recognition of almost 50 years' continuous service to the city's CWA and testament to a winning recipe.

There was only one thing wrong - the accompanying fruit cake recipe in the front cover should have said four eggs, not six. It was just a slight error but "the cake could turn our wrong," she told her family.

Mrs Foord, a life member and patron of Goulburn CWA, died at the grand age of 103 on April 16 at Waminda Aged Care facility.

READ MORE:

CWA hosts a 100th party for 2017/18 White Pages "cover girl" Nancy Foord

Goulburn CWA patron Nancy Foord features on 2017/18 phone directory

Recorded for tomorrow

She was not just a beautiful and meticulous cook but a nurturing and loving mother vibrantly interested in everything around her, daughter Mary Waters recalled.

"She was the last of the old generation," Mrs Waters said.

Mrs Foord was born on February 13, 1919 in Goulburn. She was the second youngest of eight children born to William and Daisy Bladwell, including Marjorie, Ray, Dorothy, twins Harry and Joan, Ruth and Sally.

William had a tailor shop in Auburn Street and together with Daisy, created a happy home at 20 Lisgar Street, known as Thanat.

"Grandma Bladwell welcomed everyone and the kids had plenty of friends. There was also a tennis court where (family friends) Dick and Harry Hopman once came to play. It was a loving household," Mrs Waters said.

Nancy attended Goulburn South Public School and then Domestic Science High School. Following secretarial studies she worked for Thomas Williams accountants and then Mitchell and Belcher Accountants. Her sister, Dorothy, worked with her brother's well known wool selling company, Ray Bladwell & Co.

The family was strict Methodists and attended church and Sunday School regularly. Here, Nancy joined the church's 'Younger Set' youth group and met people like Ron Butterworth. Mrs Waters said the pair later enjoyed reminiscing about these days as fellow Waminda residents.

ALSO READ: 'This changes everything': Goulburn woman takes home $1 million in Lotto draw

Nancy met John Foord when her mother took her on a visit to the Foord family property, Wongajong overlooking the Wollondilly River on the Gurrundah Road. The Foords had purchased Wongajong from Nancy's uncle, Wallace Wheatley, in 1938.

"Mum said when she met him, she just knew he was the one," Mrs Waters said.

Following a six-month courtship, John and Nancy married at Saint Saviour's Cathedral on his birthday, February 22, 1941.

They settled at Wongajong where John continued his father's Border Leicester stud and became a certified seed grower for the Department of Agriculture. In 2013 his daughter described him as "an environmentalist before the word was fashionable."

They raised four children - Elizabeth, John, Lesley-Ann and Mary.

"It was typical farm life," Mrs Waters said.

"...It was a lovely, happy childhood. Mum loved it and was always cooking, nurturing, loving, kind and gentle. She was also very supportive of Dad because he was so involved with the stud. She stayed home, did the bookwork and held the fort."

ALSO READ: Age doesn't weary Peter in commemorating Anzac Day in Goulburn

Likewise, she backed her husband after he was elected to Mulwaree Shire Council. He served 22 years on the council from 1974 to 1979 and 1983 to 1999 and was its last president and first mayor in 1992 and 1993. She found attending functions "a little daunting but (nevertheless) did it with style and grace," Mrs Waters said.

CWA membership was something of a family tradition. Nancy was a Goulburn branch member for 49 continuous years, enjoyed the interaction and was duly made its patron.

The organisation threw her a 100^th birthday party in 2019.

In 2009 she lost John whom she'd described as the love of her life. Eight years later, her daughter, Lesley-Ann died aged 69 from dementia, an event that "broke her mother's heart," Mrs Waters said.

In 2013, Nancy move into Waminda. As she told The Post in 2014, she had many fond memories and leaving the property was difficult. Wongajong was sold that year, after 76 years in the Foord family.

ALSO READ: Local woman wins best ridden Shetland pony exhibit for second time

But in true style, she settled into her new life and maintained a vital interest in her family and many friends. Mrs Waters said she remained a walking encyclopaedia of family history and was "bright until the end."

In turn, she earned the love of staff. The family said they deeply appreciated staff efforts, especially in their mother's last days.

"She only said a few weeks ago that there was something she could say that not many others could," Mrs Waters said.

"She survived two pandemics in her lifetime. She was only one the first time, then 101,102 and 103 the second time.

"...We'll remember her for her undying support for everything we did. She was just a lovely human being and was loved by so many people."

Nancy was a much loved mother and mother-in-law to Elizabeth Ranger and Ross (dec), John and Lyn, Mary and Leigh, and Wayne West. She also had 11 grandchildren, 24 great grandchildren and two great-great grandchildren. She was predeceased by all her siblings.

Her funeral service will be held at the Uniting Church, Goldsmith Street, Goulburn at 10am on Wednesday, April 27. A private cremation will follow.

Our journalists work hard to provide local, up-to-date news to the community. This is how you can access our trusted content: