Celebrating 100 in style, by distance

By GILLIAN SLADE on April 23, 2020.

gslade@medicinehatnews.com@MHNGillianSlade

It was a milestone birthday celebrated in a unique way.

Martha Wilson, resident of Cypressview Foundation seniors’ residence, turned 100 years old Wednesday and, while complying with social distancing requirements during the COVID pandemic, family and friends made it a memorable event.

There were balloons festooning the entrance to the residence and an enormous ‘100’ in pink foil balloons held aloft. Then Martha herself was wheeled outside by staff.

Members of her family were waiting with more balloons, a big banner and they sang happy birthday.

Martha had no trouble succinctly stating what the best part of the occasion was for her.

“Seeing all these,” she said gesturing to the people.

Her son Rod had arranged for a parade of 100 vehicles, many decorated with balloons and posters, to drive by. People called out birthday greetings and honked their horns.

A few minutes later the siren of a fire engine could be heard and then the flashing lights were seen. As the fire engine came into view on McCutcheon Drive the fire fighters sang happy birthday over the loud speaker.

Her son Rod said he never doubted his mother would reach her 100th birthday. Her mind is still as sharp as ever and she hardly has any health issues at all.

The restrictions of the pandemic was a little “discouraging,” said Rod. Many family members – she has three children, six grandchildren and eight great-grandchildren – from all over Alberta and Saskatchewan had planned to come for the party, which in the end could not take place. Those who are local and some who drove down from Calgary were there to celebrate at a distance.

In 2017 the News featured another happy occasion in Martha’s life. That year on Feb. 15, she and her husband Gordon, who has since passed away, were celebrating their 72nd wedding anniversary.

They courted for five years before getting married in 1945.

Gordon was in the army at the time, based in Petawawa. He was told he would not be sent to Europe to fight in the Second World War so he asked for leave to get married.

They came by train to Medicine Hat to get married in the United Church manse. The minister’s wife and daughter-in-law were the witnesses. The bride wore a smart black suit and the groom was in his army uniform.

The happy bride and groom spent the night in the Cecil Hotel, handily located just a block from the railway station.

After Gordon’s discharge from the army they farmed in Lancer and later near Abbey, Sask., with about 60 head of cattle. They had three children, Rod, Daryl and Myra.

Martha called the years of raising the children the “happiest times.”

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