Ila Lundy’s family made sure her 106th birthday was as special as it could be.
Augustine House’s eldest resident was greeted by family members Thursday afternoon during a drive-by parade at the front entrance of the Arthur Drive complex.
Lundy then enjoyed an in-house celebration with other residents.
It couldn’t match last year’s face-to-face reception in the dining room, but it was the best that could be done given the strict COVID-19 safety measures that are in place.
“It’s certainly not what it was, but we are liaising with families to make it a meaningful family event while still keeping everyone safe. That’s our bottom line,” explained Augustine House Executive Director Jackie Reiners. “Since the pandemic started we have had a couple milestone events. The standard seems to be the drive-by birthday. People will decorate their cars and stop and talk from the car at a proper social distance.
“We are just trying to navigate within the rules and regulations given from the provincial ministry and Fraser Health while making the resident feel it is their special day.”
Reiners noted Lundy is going through her second world-wide pandemic having been a toddler during the Spanish Flu (1918-20).
She moved to Augustine House in 2015. She said a year ago how she loves living in the building and has met some great friends.
“Augustine House is just a wonderful place. If you are going to go anywhere for an old age place, I would say this is way above anything else and there are very nice people here,” she said.
As to her years of longevity, she said, “I didn’t drink Coca-Cola, I didn’t drink alcohol, I didn’t smoke and I guess that’s all. I try to eat carefully. I guess that’s it. I just took care of myself and I love my family and friends.”
-with files from Ian Jacques
