Centenarian shares big day with family, friends

Born in Yarmouth, Lillian Harding moved to Argyle Sound at young age

Lillian Harding (in wheelchair, holding card open) turned 100 on July 7 and an open house was held for her at Nakile Home for Special Care in Yarmouth County. Here she shares a moment with her grandchildren, from left, Arley Spinney, Thelma Greening and Allen Spinney.

As a Yarmouth County resident joined the century club, a birthday celebration was held for her at Nakile Home for Special Care, where she lives.

Lillian Harding hit the 100 mark on July 7, with family and friends in attendance to offer their best wishes.

She received plenty of cards for her big day, including congratulations from the queen and from all three levels of government.

Born in 1918 on Argyle Street in Yarmouth, she moved to Argyle Sound as a young girl.

She shared some of her memories in a booklet put together by Allen Spinney, one of her grandchildren.

Among other things, she was asked about the chores she did as a girl.

“Well, we all did our share ( of chores). We had to carry in wood, and Momma taught us how to cook and do housework,” she said. “I remember the first time I made bread I was around 12 years old. We never heard of or seen a loaf of bakers’ bread when we were growing up. We knew how to work. I loved to go out to the barn and collect the eggs.”

She had a chance to reflect on Christmas too, saying they always had a tree but not all of the things people have now.

Recalling her time as a student, she said the school was cold during the winter.

“The stove was up in the front, so you had to get up front to be warm,” she said. “We walked to school every day ... we had a long walk, it must have been three miles or so.”

She remembers reading and spelling being her favourite subjects.

Later in life, she returned to school, this time as a cook at Argyle School, where she became well-known for her goulash and sloppy joes. She has fond memories of the girls who helped her during the noon hour.