100 Not out

Many of us remember Joan Stobo who joined our Club in Lindfield in the mid 1970’s and played regularly for so very many years. I first met her in 1979, and my first memory was of her delivering flowers, often displays of colourful hibiscus from her garden in Killara, to the Bridge club to smarten up the entry.  Joan continued to bring flowers for many many years. Along with flowers, Joan produced a plate of shortbread biscuits almost every week, making tea breaks more enjoyable.

Well, on 22nd August 2025 I was lucky to join with Joan and her family to celebrate the achievement of reaching her 100th Birthday! Your Club presented her with a beautiful bunch of flowers and a box of her favourite Haigh’s chocolates. The wall in her room is covered in Birthday cards from King Charles, the Governor General of Australia, the Governor of NSW, any number of politicians, etc, but pride of place was held by the card from the North Shore Bridge Club. Joan asked me to pass on her great thanks to Club members.

Joan still loves the game of bridge and it has given her a lot of friendships and enjoyable challenges during her life. Joan continued to played regularly up until she was 98. Joan’s playing style slowed but even then, still had a sharpness about it.

Joan will be remembered by friends at the club for her generosity and devotion to bridge.  She generously supported young upcoming bridge players and was always willing to go out of her way to help friends with lifts to and from the club, or to play as a reserve at short notice to help club events run smoothly. Happy 100th Birthday to Joan!

Article by Ian MacLaren