WANGARATTA'S Beatrice Powely celebrated her 90th birthday with friends and family at the The Old Town 'N' Country Tavern on Sunday, December 29.

Beatrice was born to Tom and Jessie Reata (Née Ingram) Stevenson on December 29, 1934 at Yarra Junction.

Her father was the teacher and principal at Peechelba Primary School where she grew up, and her family moved to Wangaratta where she met her future husband at a dance in the 1950s.

Beatrice's late husband, Geoff Powley, passed away in 2015, just one month before they celebrated their 60th wedding anniversary.

Beatrice’s eldest grandson Josh Ferguson said his nana’s commitment to community and family, and longevity in her marriage to Geoff is a testament to the changes that she has seen over the 90 years - three monarchs, 21 PM's, a world war, a new century and millennium, three children, seven grandchildren, and nine great grandchildren.

Josh said his nana was well celebrated with a group of 25 close friends and family coming together to share a meal, presents and precious stories.

“She was ecstatic," he said.

"She wasn’t expecting all of the family to come together so she was super wrapped we were all there."

Beatrice is an active member of the community, heavily involved in a number of sporting groups including being a life member at the Jubilee Golf Club, and playing badminton and bowls.