Community-minded 100 year-old still going strong
Wednesday, March 9, 2005 - Michelle Strutzenberger
To this day, Lila Mae Honess likes to have a stash of cookies in her room for potential visitors.

Lila Honess

She just celebrated her 100th birthday, and her age has certainly taken its toll on her health -- but not on her lifelong love of people, says her great niece, Gloria Hall.

"Aunt Lila always loved to visit," Gloria tells the Morning Report. "One thing you could be sure of if you stopped in to see her -- there would be fresh-baked cookies and tea waiting. You just had to sit down with her."

Born on Manitoulin Island in 1905, Lila Mae grew up in the years when long visits with neighbours and friends were still the pastime of choice.

"Every Sunday afternoon she and her husband went out and visited or had people in, that was the thing to do," says Gloria.

Lila Mae was also a skilled piano player and shared her talents at many, many community dances and family get-togethers.

A mother of seven children, who managed a farm with her husband, Lila Mae would never have been considered well-to-do or professionally accomplished. But she gave tirelessly of her time to help out in the community.

"Whenever there was sickness or babies being delivered, she would do something to help," says Gloria.

Up until six years ago, Lila Mae lived in her own home in the community, still active, still helping out. At the age of 94, health concerns made the decision for her -- she needed to move to a long-term care facility. So she made her home at Manitoulin Lodge, where Gloria has worked as an activation director for the past 20 years.

Yet even there Lila Mae is still interested in the lives of others.

"Aunt Lila loves to keep up on all the happenings," says Gloria. Every Wednesday, the local community newspaper is read aloud. If at all possible, Lila Mae is there to listen.

"She loves all the activities here," Gloria continues. "She hates to miss anything."

Gloria also describes her great aunt as a very religious woman, who takes part in any related events that she can. For instance, even after her big birthday bash, which was tiring for her, she was up and ready for the World Day of Prayer the next day.

It was more than evident at Lila Mae’s 100th birthday celebration that she has touched the lives of many people. Over 150 people were there to help her celebrate, including fellow-residents, staff-members, family-members and friends. She came away with a "shopping bag full of cards," according to Gloria.

Gloria says that if there is nothing else she has learned from her great aunt, it is the importance of connecting with family and friends and being involved in the community.

"Last month we had glamour photos done of many of the residents. And so Aunt Lila had her photo done too. For probably the second time in her life, she put on makeup." Gloria chuckles, then becomes serious. "She was always a very plain lady, but a wonderful neighbour, family-member and friend. She is a great role model in the community for all of us."