Victoria鈥檚 Wellesley retirement community held a birthday bash this week to honour four centenarians.
Having that many people reach such a milestone in one place is a rarity, said activity co-ordinator Renee Claveau. 鈥淎nd we have some coming up, too,鈥� she said. 鈥淪ome people are going to be 100 probably next year.鈥�
Claveau said the quadruple birthday party was 鈥渁 very special occasion鈥� for the Wellesley complex, which is home to about 200 residents in both assisted and independent living.
Shirley Thurlbeck, a Winnipeg native, had an interesting answer when asked what she wanted for her 100th. Her big day is Sunday, just as a great-granddaughter turns one. 鈥淚 want balloons, fireworks and the Chippendale dancers on my birthday night,鈥� she said when questioned by staff.
Asked for the secret to a long life, Thurlbeck pointed to her upbringing. 鈥淚 had to walk to my elementary school a whole mile and to my senior school four miles, and all the veggies that we had were not sprayed,鈥� she said. 鈥淓verything was natural. I聽believe in that.鈥�
On top of that, she said she has good genes. 鈥淭hat鈥檚 the most important thing.鈥�
Edmonton-born Eleanor Pattison, who reached 100 on Thursday, remembers the days when streets were made of dirt and sidewalks were wood.
Pattison, one of seven children, said her tip for longevity is to live your best life and stay active and positive. She said she is impressed by all the technological changes during her life.
Pattison and Thurlbeck are best friends who are known as the Wellesley鈥檚 鈥渂ingo queens.鈥�
The oldest of the group is 102-year-old Eula Johnson, who was born in what was then Fort聽William, Ont., now part of the city of Thunder Bay. She turned 102 on April 6.
She said she has a simple secret to longevity 鈥� moderation 鈥� and added that it鈥檚 what you do after 100 that really counts.
Johnson pointed to the great number of changes she has seen in her lifetime. 鈥淔rom the horse and buggy to the airplanes and now the computers,鈥� she said. 鈥淚鈥檝e seen it all.鈥�
All of that change makes the 20th century one of the best there has been, she said. 鈥淚t really has been the most progressive, I think.鈥�
Jean Kean, who was born Sept.聽25, 1918, in Melbourne, Australia, credits her long life to the fact that she stayed single.
鈥淯nfortunately,鈥� the 101-year-old quipped.
Jean and her twin sister, Bonnie, both lived at the Wellesley until Bonnie died three years ago. The sisters had been in show business together in their younger years and travelled with a small troupe.
Kean said her bucket list includes a trip to New York City to enjoy the party life.
