Marie Nagle, 101, of Caringbah, says sport "got me through" life's challenges.

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This was particularly so after Marie's husband was killed by a speeding car while walking home from work, leaving her alone to raise their two children.

Marie was among 33 seniors aged 100 and over, who were honoured on Friday at Sutherland Shire Council's annual Centenarians Morning Tea.

The centenarians, along with family members and other carers, gathered for the event, a 40-year-tradition, at Hazelhurst Arts Centre.

Marie grew up in Bexley, married Gordon in 1954 and moved to Caringbah the following year.

Claude Mommesson, 104, and daughter Gai Adams at the Centenarians morning tea at Hazelhurst. Picture by Murray Trembath

Together they built their home in Taren Road, where Marie still lives.

Gordon was 38 when he was killed while walking home from work by a car speeding down the hill on President Avenue, near where the Coles development is today.

Left to raise their two children alone, Marie relearnt to drive and returned to paid work as personal secretary to the principals of Endeavour and Woolooware high schools.

Despite the challenges she has had to overcome, Marie said today, "I have had a lovely life".

"I am very proud of my children - they have both done very well," she said.

Hazel Favell, 109, with mayor Jack Boyd at the Centenarians morning tea at Hazelhurst. Picture by Murray Trembath

"I have made lovely friends and loved my sport - tennis, golf and bowls. I think sport got me through.

"I didn't expect to get this old, but here I am."

Claude Mommesson, 104, grew up in Penshurst served in the Army in Papua New Guinea during the War.

On his return, he met his wife at a bus stop.

After marrying, the couple bought a block of land on Kingsway at Caringbah and built their home, working on the project on weekends. They raised three daughters.

Claude said if he knew Sutherland Hospital would be built a few years later opposite their home, he would never have chosen the location because "there have always been parking problems".

The most senior of the Centenarians at the function was Hazel Favell,109.

Hazel's memories include walking across the Sydney Harbour Bridge when it opened in 1932.

Her younger sister Millicent Oliver recently passed away at the age of 104.

Centenarian siblings Dr Ron Bonamy, a long-serving GP at Gymea, and his sister Sylvia Fenton, also passed away recently.

Council records show there are nearly 80 residents aged 100 or over in the Shire, of which 18 are still living independently in their own homes.

The number attending the Centenarians function continues to grow.

In 2012, there were 10. By 2017, the number had increased to 21. In 2025, there were 26.

Mayor Jack Boyd said the morning tea was "an opportunity to recognise "the extraordinary legacy" of the group and thank the families and carers who supported them.