A bubbly Doris Johnson was wearing pearls and a sparkling smile as she saw in her 100th New Year’s Eve Tuesday.
All while awaiting the birth of her seventh great-grandchild, who was just hours now from entering the world.
“Oh we’re so excited,” said Johnson’s daughter Cheryl Dunfield.
“Because the baby’s coming.”
“Wonderful,” said Johnson.
“She’s gonna love this new baby,” said Dunfield.
Johnson was enjoying the moment with family and friends Tuesday.
“Yeah it’s a good day,” said Arrowsmith Lodge’s Deanna Smith.
And Johnson is also looking back at the family she’s built along the way.
“She would do anything for my sister, my brother and I,” said Dunfield.
Johnson’s daughter Cheryl Dunfield said, at 100, her mom has continued to be the light in many people’s lives.
At her Parksville seniors home, Arrowsmith Lodge, her room is always busy with care aides coming for one of her famous hugs that she’s been perfecting over the past century.
“They love her,” said Dunfield.
“The nurses come in and hug her.”
“I get excited to come and get her ready in the morning,” said Arrowsmith Lodge care aide Carrie Mueller.
“I can’t wait til I get her up and I go ‘I’m here I’m gonna get you up’ and she gets all excited,” she said.
Having lived through the Great Depression, Johnson learned the value of hard work. And family helped see her through thick and thin.
Those are life lessons she has now passed it on to four generations and counting.
“Oh I love it,” said Johnson laughing.
But this baby will make its great grandmother wait. Late New Year’s Eve afternoon, Johnson’s granddaughter was still in labour.
Skye Ryan
