On April 25 a 100th birthday celebration was held at Wedgwood House in Duncan for Dorothy Mary Gibson, attended by her family, friends, and fellow residents.
A light lunch was served, at which many memories of Mary’s 100 years were enjoyed. These included personal tidbits, stories, and poetry. After lunch, the local musical trio The Carter Family, who have performed at Wedgwood for many years, provided much enjoyed music and songs. Mary received many cards, lots of love and good wishes, plus two of her favourite things: chocolates and flowers.
Here’s a sampling of memories from Mary’s 100 years:
In a suburb of London, England, at the age of 19, being a trained and dedicated nurse, Mary nursed during the Second World War blitz on the front line from the start to the war’s end.
After the war she moved to Wales and it was here she met her one true love, John. They married in the mid 1940s. Their son, Peter, made his arrival in 1946 and it was not too long later the family of three packed and moved to Vancouver Island. John being a biologist, secured employment at Nanaimo’s Biological Research Station. Mary and John enjoyed their solitude as well as fishing so much that eventually they moved to Kyoquot Bay on northern Vancouver Island.
It was here they build a house, finding housing material at abandoned sites and by beachcombing. By now they had a fishing boat which gave them great pleasure. Once, when they were out fishing, they decided to tie their son, Peter, to the boat mast to keep him from toddling overboard! Mary still happily relates that story all these years later. While living in Kyoquot Mary was sometimes asked to fill in when the local nurse was not available.
In the mid 1960s Mary and John moved to Cowichan Station and it was here they once again built a house on 50 acres of land. In 2012, now in their senior years, they decided to live more comfortably and chose the Wedgwood House in Duncan. Here they made many new friends. By now they had a grandson, Ian, as well as a great-granddaughter, Amelia. Unfortunately, John had passed away prior to Amelia’s birth, however it is reported that seven-year-old Amelia has many of John’s attributes.
When Mary was asked what the main reason was she has lived such a wonderful, long life, her response, with a twinkle in her eye was, “luck, plain luck.”