By Andrea Nicholl
It’s a milestone many of us can’t imagine reaching.
Mabel MacKay will celebrate her 103rd birthday this Saturday, with friends and family by her side.
“I’m lucky my birthday always falls near Mother’s Day,” she said, adding she’ll be lucky to celebrate with one of her two sons and some of her four grandchildren and nine great grandchildren.
MacKay says she can believe she’s turning 103, because she has 100 years of memories, but admits she doesn’t feel more than a century old.
“Some days I feel my age, but for the most part I feel pretty good,” she said, from her home at Dr. Hemstock. “I’m just thankful to be as well as I am.”
MacKay moved to Lloydminster in the 1920s and despite a brief absence, has lived in the Border City her entire life, meeting and marrying her late husband and working as a school teacher and bookkeeper.
“I got off the train here in 1927, not knowing anybody or knowing where I was going,” she said. “There’s been so many changes since then. When I first came to Lloydminster it was just a little place.”
MacKay moved into the Dr. Hemstock Residence in 2004, at 96 years old, and has continued to live in her one bedroom suite, independently, with the exception of light housekeeping assistance.
“She’s able, she’s capable and she is who she is,” said Shannon Oman, of Life Enrichment at Dr. Hemstock. “She does it all on her own. She takes care of herself as well as all of us – she keeps us on our toes.”
Though longevity runs in her family, MacKay says her real secret to life is to “just keep busy.” At 102 years old, she spends her days with friends playing table bowling, card games and knitting and crocheting for craft sales, friends and family.
“If you can live to be older and you can live healthy and happy, life’s worth living. You can enjoy the days and the moments and that’s what’s nice – it is a beautiful life,” said Oman. “Mabel’s amazing. She’s our ultimate hero who we can look up to by just being so grateful and thankful that she is a part of our lives.”