Lorna Gillies celebrates 102nd birthday at the Maples

Staff at the Maples Home for Seniors helped Lorna Gillies celebrate her 102nd birthday Tuesday. Gillies says her caregivers treat her like a queen, while staff say she is a very special member of the Maples community. Pictured in front are Gillies and Nada Baumbach. At back, from left, are Eqbal Al-Sagar, Kylie Jackson, Carin Bouwmeester, Tiffany Carruthers, executive director Joan Hergott, Jen McCann, Leanne Doehn and Carren Reyes. Gary West photo

By Gary West

When a birthday marking 102 years of a life well lived rolls around, most people would simply be happy to celebrate the milestone surrounded by friends and family.

For Lorna Gillies, celebrating her 102nd birthday this week at the Maples Home for Seniors in Tavistock was another opportunity to share her trademark smile and sense of humour with those around her.

Those who know Gillies say she certainly doesn't look her age. Caregivers at the Maples marvel at her youthful complexion, while executive director Joan Hergott says Gillies still has the hair of a modern-day model.

Gillies is also known around the Maples for her sharp memory and quick wit.

Whenever this writer stops by for a visit, Gillies greets me by name. When I jokingly ask her for a date, she's always willing – with a smile – though she says she would first have to run it by her son, Tavistock's Larry Brown, to make sure it's okay.

It's that sense of humour, along with her warm personality, that has made Gillies such a special part of the Maples community.

As staff gathered around her this week to celebrate 102 years, Gillies once again demonstrated that age is just a number.