An age to celebrate
P.E.I. resident ‘still sharp’ during 109th birthday with friends and family
Many could only hope to live a life as long and fulfilling as Margaret Shaw’s. Friends and family surrounded Shaw at Charlottetown’s Atlantic Baptist Home on Saturday as she celebrated her 109th birthday.
Shaw was born on April 1, 1908, in Riverdale, P.E.I., to Rebecca (MacPhee) and James L. Matheson.
“She always said she was no fool… and she wasn’t,” said Shaw’s daughter, Annita Smith, who noted some of her mother’s tricks for a long life. “She always ate healthy, for most of her life her food had no additives in it. And she always worked hard and had strong faith in a higher power.”
Although Shaw is now hard of hearing, she is still sharp and able to converse with those around her. Family members said they felt blessed to celebrate the birthday.
“You would just never dream of it, that’s for sure,” said son James Shaw. “It’s quite a feat.” Shaw’s quick wit showed during a visit by Premier Wade MacLauchlan on Saturday.
Being a life-long Liberal and voting in every provincial and federal election for more than eight decades, Shaw still keeps up on current events.
She gave a humorous response when MacLauchlan asked Shaw if she ever voted for a party besides Liberal.
“She said, ‘I didn’t lose my mind yet’,” said James, with a laugh. Shaw, the oldest of five children, grew up on a small Appin Road farm.
She married Archie Shaw on Nov. 9 1940, and they had two children.
The couple spent more than 30 years together operating a mixed farm in Desable before Archie died in June 1971.
Smith said her mother still remembers life without cars, radio, television and phones. “Life on a farm was good, she has often said, with the exception of milking stubborn cows by hand,” said Smith, noting that her mother can recall watching the first airplane flying over Appin Road.
Her hands were never idle, with Shaw keeping a diary until she was 101 years old and even winning a knitting prize at the provincial exhibition at the age of 102. After stopping last October, Shaw has recently picked up her knitting needles again. Shaw was a faithful member of the Desable Church of Scotland. She was also involved in community-oriented work with the Ladies Orange Benevolent Association of P.E.I., Desable Women’s Institute and a church missionary group.
Along with eating healthy, Shaw never smoked and only had a glass of wine on special occasions.
Family has also been an important support.
Shaw’s love of family, which includes numerous nieces, nephews, grandchildren and great-grandchildren, also extends to her caregivers. Wendy Holland, director of nursing, said Shaw is adored by both residents and staff. “We’re just over the moon to have her here with us. She’s a delight,” said Holland. “Her smile just shines and lights up the place, she’s very special and very, very kind.”
Smith said her entire family has felt blessed.
“She’s always met life head on, has always been fair and loves us unconditionally,” said Smith. “She’s a wonderful mother.”