But the published author, musician and independent woman has always been happy to follow her own path.
"Who can expect anything in this life," Mrs Gillies (nee Grave) told the Otago Daily Times with quiet determination.
"You take it for granted but you never know what you are going to get."
She had simply lived life to the full, and although it was an old cliche, "you should make the most of every day".
The Oamaru-born woman celebrated her 100th birthday on Thursday with a family outing to her favourite Oamaru restaurant, the Golden Dragon.
"It’s very privileged to have it — and it’s an unknown quantity you get in this life," she said on reaching 100.
She continues to live independently with family support.
Until recently Mrs Gillies was driving herself to Palmerston regularly to "play for the oldies".
She continued to express that outlet by playing for the Observatory Village residents in Oamaru every week.
"It’s been an enjoyment to play out."
She was born in a private nursing home in Oamaru into a family with deep North Otago roots.
A classmate of Janet Frame, she admitted she had "little inclination for study".
She happily worked behind a counter until her marriage in 1945.
"I was just average."
But it had been no barrier to combining family, travel and becoming a published author using her maiden name.
"I’ve packed a bit into this life.
"It’s the only one we’ve got, so why wouldn’t I?"
