Cissie’s birthday wish — return to Scottish roots
Spry 105-year-old has some simple advice for younger generations: ‘Always do the right thing’
Cissie Rodden had one wish to celebrate her 105th birthday on Monday — to return to her roots in Scotland.
A Scottish piper led the spry centenarian to a head table to applause from more than 50 family members, residents and staff where she lives at Clarendon Court in Vancouver.
Scottish entertainer Robert Stuart sang “Happy Birthday,” and stopped midway through the second verse: “May you live a hundred years . . . wait I’m out of date,” he chuckled.
“The Scottish music is lovely,” said Cissie, listing her favourite things about the party. “And all my family.” Cissie said her advice for living a long life is keeping active.
“I do everyday things,” she said, a sweet Scottish lilt rising in her strong voice.
Four of her five children, who range in age from 66 to 82, sat at her table.
“She wants to go back to Scotland so badly,” said Bill Rodden, 79. He said his mother’s last trip to the old country was four years ago.
Cissie is the glue that holds the family together, he said.
“During the hard times of the [Second World] War, Mom did a great job at keeping us all together,” said Bill.
“The war years were hard on us. It was amazing how she could put a dinner on the table with bully beef [corned beef ] and not much more, a few turnips.”
Once a week, Cissie gets out with her gal pals for lunch and a game of cards, “the Lunch Bunch” they call themselves.
She also likes helping out at her local church, said Bill.
Bill said Cissie has 24 grandchildren, nine great-grandchildren and one great-greatgrandchild.
Her words of wisdom for the younger set are: “Always do the right thing.
“And if they don’t do it, I don’t beat them,” she laughed.
“I would put them on my knee and tell them they should be good children and not to do that again.”