| Former Taber resident celebrates 105th birthday |
 |
 |
 |
| Local Content - Local News |
| Written by Sherri Gallant |
| Wednesday, 23 December 2009 19:02 |
|
Old friends and children of old friends turned out Sunday to wish Fay Meikle a happy 105th birthday, rubbing elbows with politicians, Legion members, relatives and former colleagues. It was a fitting tribute to Canada's oldest female veteran - the oldest woman registered with Veterans Affairs, at any rate - a former WREN who signed up at the same time as her only son did, in 1942. She crossed the country in supplies (food) services five times for her country, but after the war she couldn't wait to get back to her home in Taber. Her son John died before his mother, whose longevity has delighted all who know her. Valerie Williams, director of care at Extendicare, where Fay moved when she left her own home at age 97, talked about the celebration held for Fay this year on Remembrance Day. "One of the gifts she received was a beautiful bouquet of a dozen long-stemmed red roses," Williams said. "A few days later one of her caregivers was in and the roses were in her room and they were talking about how beautiful they were. The caregiver reminded her that it was two men who had given her these roses. She looked up and said, 'they must have been taken with me.'" Meikle received honours from the Prime Minister (brought by Lethbridge MP Rick Casson) and good wishes from Bridget Pastoor and Greg Weadick, the city's MLAs, and Ald. Tom Wickersham. But it was also apparent that being a veteran was but a small part of a great lady's living legacy. Those who gathered at the Lethbridge Legion heard about a wonderful friend, a talented artisan and teacher, a respected librarian and an energetic world traveller. Audrey Krizsan, a trustee with Horizon School Division, told how Meikle was a pioneer in setting up school library services for the Taber School Division (since swallowed up by the Horizon School Division) after the war. Sharon Shockey, a former neighbour, relayed how the community banded together to help Fay stay in her own home as long as she did, knowing how important it was to her. "I'm sure she appreciates that," Shockey said, "But she was being re-paid for her services to other people, and that's what life is all about." Much was said about her skill on a loom and how she shared it with others, teaching many to weave and do other kinds of hand work. "I've never met anyone in my life that's lived that long," said Weadick. "It gives the rest of us hope," Wickersham smiled. |
Please Login
