Celebrating  100 Years

By Christine Murphy

There are not many of us who get the opportunity to share in the joy of celebrating someone’s 100th birthday but on Saturday, August 20th, about 50 close friends and family did just that. My grandmother, Rose Mudry, celebrated a milestone by reaching the ripe ‘young’ age of 100.  For those of us who have celebrated that ‘dreaded’ 40th birthday when you feel you’ve left your youth behind, sharing in a 100th birthday celebration certainly puts things into perspective!

Just think of all the things Baba has lived to see – the phone, TV, the car, radio, the first man on the moon, computers, the polio vaccine, two World Wars, global warming, the turn of the century. It’s a far cry from the small village of Zastinka, Ukraine where she was born on August 27, 1905.

She arrived in Saskatchewan from Ukraine in August of 1928 for better opportunities. Work and marriage brought my grandmother and grandfather to Winnipeg.  There they had two children – Wally, in July 1930, and my late mother, Jean, in June 1932.

With work difficult to find, my late grandfather, Michael Mudry, moved to Toronto, sending for his family in 1935.  My grandmother had jobs ranging from washing socks and undergarments (by hand!!) to sewing brasseries until she retired some 30 years later.  My grandfather was a carpenter and built, along with my uncle, the house  that my grandmother still lives in today.

My grandmother has been a widow almost half her life, but she has led a very full life.  She has seen each of her five grandchildren grow up and marry. Together, they presented her with 10 great-grandchildren. Having her family and friends around is what has helped keep her mind so lively to such an incredible age.

She raised her two children on her own, maintained her home, with their help, and managed to maintain her sense of humour through it all. She was active in St. Demetrius Church – both as a parishioner and member of “Svitlytsia” and was a long-standing member of OYK.  It is amazing to hear her retell stories, some of which are from her days in Ukraine, with such vivid detail.  When my uncle was telling those present at the party details of Baba’s life, she could remember every date and place with such exactness! 

While her body may be slowing her down a little, her mind is as sharp as ever.  She was so happy to see everyone at the party. She was moved to tears – happy ones of joy–as she sat and talked with everyone.  She was truly touched that so many people came to honour her on her big day.

Photos were retrieved – some dating back as many as 75 years – and put out for people to look at and recount ‘the good ol’ days.’  Many more were taken that day so that one day in the future, perhaps when one of us grandkids or great-grandkids reaches the century mark, we’ll be able to look back and remember, with fondness, the special day we celebrated with our Baba.

Mnohaya Lita Baba!

Christine Murphy (nee Nykilchuk) is a former UNYF member from Sudbury, Ontario.