Prisoner star ‘mum’ Mary Ward celebrates turning 102

Happy Birthday Mum.

Mary Ward celebrated her 102^nd birthday on March 6.

Mary is probably best remembered for being  ‘Mum’ Brooks in the long running television show Prisoner, so called because she was an older, dignified woman who was a bit of a mother to the prisoners.

Her character in the show was in Wentworth Detention Centre because she euthanised her husband who was suffering from an illness.

A Facebook page for the show posted this birthday tribute to the actress earlier this week:

It reads: Prisoner star MARY WARD (“Mum Brooks”) celebrated her 102nd birthday just the other day and is still going strong!! Best wishes from all of us Mary! 
(Picture posted with permission of Mary’s family)

Mary was born in Freemantle, but went to England to train as an actress, performing on stage.

On her return to Australia she was an announcer on ABC during WWII before returning to England.

Back in Australia she took on the popular Mum role in 1979 in the first episode of the long running series, last appearing in episode 204, although she was talked about until episode 388.

Mary was also seen in Sons and Daughters, Neighbours, The Henderson Kids and Homicide.

Were you a fan of the show?