She is the Queenstown Cancer Society's longest-serving member by a wide margin and on Monday afternoon Clarice May was honoured for her generosity, in style.
Mrs May has been baking for members of the community and visiting those who have dealt with cancer for more than 49 years.
So members of the society thought it was her turn to be spoilt and presented a basket of goodies to the 90-year-old during a high tea party at Laurel Bank House near Queenstown.
More than 15 of the group's volunteers were present to acknowledge Mrs May's achievement and the Cancer Society's Otago Southland chief executive, Mike Kernaghan, came from Dunedin for the occasion.
"It is a real privilege to spend an afternoon with you," Mr Kernaghan said. "It's not often we sit down with someone who's not only 90, but someone who has put 49 years into this organisation. It's humbling."
Mrs May was diagnosed with bowel cancer at 41, which left her requiring a colostomy bag from that point.
She had been an active member of several cancer society groups ever since her diagnosis.
Her husband, Bill, died of leukaemia eight years ago.
The retired sheep farmer started an ostomy group in Invercargill while farming near Winton, and since Mrs May moved to Frankton in 1980, had been part of the cancer society group there.
She said she was overwhelmed by the occasion this week and joked she didn't want a new car as a gift because her own one "had enough dents".
"A great big thank you to all of you. It's wonderful to be here."
The energetic Mrs May offered her friends some words of wisdom.
"Growing old, like I have always said, is like a bank account. You withdraw from it only what you put into it."
Cancer Society Queenstown last week received the Trust Power regional award for health and wellbeing at the Athenaeum Hall in Arrowtown from Queenstown Lakes Mayor Vanessa van Uden.
The central region support services co-ordinator, Marie Wales, said Mrs May was one of a kind and it was great to recognise such a special person in the community.
"Clarice is unto herself. I mean, 90 and she still gets up at 6 and bakes and runs around. She's amazing."
"I love these ladies. They're like an extension of your own family."
