Lena (109) was believed to be New Zealand's oldest woman living longer than Doris Mackintosh from Christchurch by one day. Lena also made up half of New Zealand's longest friendships with Northcote resident Marjorie Dover (106) who died last year. Their freindship stretched more than 90 years when they met as teenagers during the first World War. Her husband died over 20 years earlier and she had also outlived her only son. Lena was extremely fond of music, playing and teaching the violin and piano.