Ann Barry has enjoyed the lifestyle at 2-4 Cooberrie Street, Cornubia, for close to four decades.
In that time, the property was also home to some of life’s major milestones – the weddings of her children, 100th birthday parties, and anniversaries.
But above all, it’s home to her cherished garden.
“We came here on the 1 July 1989, the house was about four years old then,” Mrs Barry said.
“The house was built right at the back of the block, and the garden was quite dull.
“My plan for the garden was green, green, green.”
And that’s the plan she carried out over the next 35 years.
Now the garden has become “the focal point” of the property.
“The plan for the beginning of last year is that I wouldn’t have any soil showing in the garden,” Mrs Barry said.
“Well, I didn’t achieve that, but it’s still just green, green, green.”
Mrs Barry’s husband, Julian, recently moved into a care home.
Now 90, Mrs Barry is struggling to look after the garden by herself.
“It’s the reason we’re selling the house now – I’m just not strong enough,” she said.
She said the home had been host to so many “really happy occasions”.
“We’ve had several weddings here – three of our children were married here – we’ve had big celebrations like special wedding anniversaries and special birthdays – my aunt’s 100th birthday last year,” Mrs Barry said.
“I come from a big family – my mother was one of 55 grandchildren… so it wasn’t hard to muster a number of people for celebrating.
“We had a really big family, we had room for all the children and grandchildren to come back and stay here.”
The home is set upon 1.2 acres of land, with six bedrooms Ms Barry said was perfect for having all her children and grandchildren come and stay.
Mrs Barry’s son, William, said the house was large enough to host all their needs.
“With my wedding, we actually had 60 people inside the house, and we could accommodate the 60 people on the dance floor,” he said.
“And there’s a walk-in cold room with a wet bar, so the house is definitely set up for functions that were enjoyed.
“And my sister had about 80 people there for an outdoor wedding.”
Ms Barry said after all these years, it was the perfect time to sell.
“I would have been very sad a year ago, but this is just the right time to go,” she said.
She said a large family would make the perfect new owners.
