Mary Rothstein, Australias oldest Jew, died Tuesday in Melbourne at the age of 110, according to a JTA report.

Rothstein was born in Russia, but her family fled to England in 1901, shortly after she was born, due to pogroms. According to the JTA report, she lived in London for half her life, working as a milliner for the royal family before she moved to Australia.

Open gallery view Jewish cemetery. Credit: Tess Scheflan

Rothsteins daughter, Ruth Cavallaro, who visited her mother twice daily since she was moved into an aged-care facility run by Jewish Care in Melbourne 17 years ago, told JTA: Im numb, it hasnt actually hit me. I dont know what Ill do with my time. She was a wonderful mother, very good to her grandchildren and loved her great-grandchildren. Its very sad that this era has gone.

Cavallaro said her mother ate out at only kosher restaurants and would walk to synagogue every Saturday until she moved into the old-age home.

When asked about the secret to her mothers longevity, Cavallaro said at her mothers 110th birthday in March that the only thing I can honestly say about her is she never drank, never smoked and never swore. And she worked very hard.

She is survived by her daughter, two grandchildren and six great-grandchildren.