EVEN A COLLISION DOESN’T STOP 102-YEAR-OLD
Harris credits friends, hard work, clean living for longevity
A hair-raising deer collision couldn’t dissuade 102-year-old Margaret Harris from driving her ’98 Buick.
“I was bootin’ ‘er for home because I was having company and I hit the poor fella,” recalled Harris of her June accident en route to her Gore, Hants County, home after attending church in Shunenacadie.
“The deer went flying over the car and as far as I know he ended up in the woods. I hope he didn’t suffer,” said the native of Grande Greve, Richmond County.
“I was able to drive my car home and my son said if I didn’t have that big ‘ole Buick that I’d of been killed. It’s a great one.”
The mother of two and grandmother of four, who turned 102 on July 15, survived unscathed and wasted no time paying her friend, the local auto body specialist, a visit to replace the grill and car hood, which had nearly been split in two. She continued driving the beat-up car until the replacement arrived.
“The car worked perfectly but it didn’t look very nice. When I parked it anywhere I noticed people coming over and staring at it and pulling deer hair out of the front. I thought, they’ve got quite the nerve taking my deer hair.”
Harris ran a hairdressing business out of her home for five decades, until the age of 95, and remains healthy and busy. She’s a voracious reader. A book always accompanies her during afternoon naps and at bedtime. She still plays duplicate bridge competitively, a passion she’s carried for 50 years. She never misses church and is an active member of the local women’s institute.
The card-carrying Tory keeps her TV tuned to CPAC, satisfying her need for round the clock coverage of Canadian politics. She is not a fan of Prime Minister Justin Trudeau.
“I have nothing against Trudeau. But he’s in the wrong business. He went into office with his eyes closed. He thought because his father knew politics that he did, too. What did he ever do in politics? He taught school for a little while. My daughter taught school for 35 years but she couldn’t take over the prime ministership. But like I said, I’m not against him, he seems like a fine person. I’m just against what his party is telling him to do.”
She’s never lectured anyone on how to live a long and prosperous life.
“I didn’t do anything wonderful in my lifetime, I don’t think. But I’ve always tried to do the right thing. I always eat well, slept well. I didn’t drink very much and I didn’t smoke so I think maybe that helped. Do you think?
“But I worked hard. I started off the eldest of 14 children. As they came along I helped to look after them. Of course, that wasn’t a chore because I loved the children. I finished school. I worked in different offices in Halifax during World War Two. Imperial Oil was my last office job.
“When my first child was small, I took a hairdressing course and loved running a small hairdressing establishment in my own home. That lasted until I was 95. I got ill and I thought it was time to quit.”
Having wonderful friends doesn’t hurt, either.
“I was partying all last week and I’ve had four birthday cakes. They were inviting me to dinners, sending me gifts, wine and everything. People have been awfully kind to me, my goodness. They’re so kind to me.”
Her daughter, Jayne Campbell, agrees.
“I wouldn’t call her a Mother Teresa but she’s the type of person who when someone is down and out, she’s the first one there to provide shelter,” said Campbell. “She’s very loving and powerful at the same time and she keeps everybody going.
“Her kindness and sense of humour is contagious but stay away from political discussion. She has lived through many changes in our country but she has never swayed from her commitment to her political party.”
Harris was the designated tea-pourer at Chester Garden Club’s annual flower show and tea at the community legion on Thursday afternoon. Honouring the centennial anniversary of the end of the First World War, the event’s theme was Lest We Forget — A Floral Tribute.
Harris, whose husband served overseas for four years during the Second World War, agreed to her daughter’s invitation on one condition, that she would not be required to wear a hat.
Harris still carries a deep attachment for her Cape Breton home and takes the odd road trip back to Richmond County. Her brother, the late Gordon Cote, is among the original greats of traditional Cape Breton music. His son Dwayne Cote, who lives in Cape Breton, is widely considered a fiddle and violin virtuoso.
“He’s excellent, isn’t he? But it’s not only Cape Breton music that he plays, he can play different kinds of music, and beautifully.
“My brother was also a fine piper and fiddler. If there was ever a fundraiser, if ever anyone was in trouble, my brother would be right there. He’d play till one o’clock in the morning.”
She lost her husband 32 years ago and has lived on her own for 28 years. That is, until her son Greg moved in after retiring and returning home from Alberta. But according to her daughter, Harris doesn’t need the help.
“She lets us know that she likes having him there but not because she needs someone to look after her. She’s the most energetic, engaged woman that I have ever known.”