‘No hubby’ is her secret to long life
Ola Hamilton celebrates milestone 100th birthday today
At 100 years old, Ola Hamilton still has her sharp wit and always keeps a smile on her face.
A large assembly of family and friends celebrated Hamilton’s milestone 100-year-birthday with a party at The Mount Continuing Care Community on Sunday.
Hamilton, who is originally from New Perth, was joking with many who went through the greeting line and said she didn’t “feel any older” while noting her birthday wasn’t officially until today
She also had a humorous response when asked what her secret was to a long healthy life.
“(I was at my eye doctor) one day and the girls were teasing me about being older. All of the sudden (my doctor) stopped and he said ‘how old are you?’ And I said ‘I’m 98.’ He said ‘well you look pretty good, how old is your hubby?’ And I said, ‘I’ve never had one of those things, that’s why I’ve lived so long’,” said Hamilton.
“That is my secret.” Hamilton was excited to get her picture taken with MP Lawrence MacAulay earlier in the weekend, while also receiving a presentation from Lt.-Gov. Frank Lewis during Sunday’s event.
Hamilton, who has no children, also expressed appreciation for her many cousins who attended including some from off-Island.
“I’ve got some pretty good cousins,” said Hamilton. “I can’t believe I am hitting 100, but it’s the way things go. I never thought I would.”
Cousin George Beck, who was one of the party’s organizers, described Hamilton as “a really precious lady.”
“Her hearing is wonderful and her mind is sharp, sharp, sharp. She can tell you anything from years ago. She has a real sense of humour and she’s always been a good sport,” said Beck.
Beck noted that Hamilton’s first job involved working at some cabins in Cavendish before she decided to attend the business college in Charlottetown.
“The day she finished business college, she had a call from Keir Clark’s store in Montague wanting her to be his office manager,” said Beck, noting that she did that for several years before moving to Labrador for a few years.
When Hamilton returned to P.E.I. she began a career at the Bank of Nova Scotia in Charlottetown that lasted about 40 years.
Hamilton said she retired around 1980.
Charmaine MacGregor, activities coordinator at The Mount, described Hamilton as “pretty special” and said she is “always smiling.”
“She’s well respected and she’s got great stories and memories…She has loyal family members and friends that come in to visit her, which is huge,” said MacGregor. “She’s an amazing woman and we love having her here.”
Beck thanked MacGregor for helping organize the event and said the number of friends, family and co-workers who showed up was “phenomenal.”
“(I want to) thank everybody who showed up, she’ll have the memories of today forever.”