Burloak resident Flora Mercer blows out the candles on a cake for her 103rd birthday.
Three Burloak residents celebrate century-plus birthdays
Resident Flora Mercer cites walking as potential factor in her longevity
Wednesday February 10, 2010 -- Michelle Strutzenberger
Flora Mercer is one of three residents whose century-plus birthdays were commemorated with a special celebration organized by the programming staff at Burloak Long Term Care Centre recently.

Mercer, who turned 103 Feb. 1, says she was grateful to be honoured with the celebration, which saw well-wishers gather and enjoy a specially prepared cake.

The publication SNAP Burlington attended to photograph Flora and her two centenarian counterparts, Jenny Doiron, who turned 102 Dec. 6 and Anne Jensen, who reached the same age Jan. 24.

Programs manager Tricia Cardillo says the celebration generated a great turnout, adding people find it intriguing to meet someone who has passed the century mark.

“They really get a kick out of the fact that there are people living to that age,” says Cardillo.

In an interview with the Morning Report, Mercer shared some memories from her life and her thoughts on her longevity.

An Ontario resident, Mercer grew up one of seven girls and four boys. She recalls her mother providing a fresh, clean diet with home cooking and baking.

“That part of my life was pretty good,” says Mercer.

“Then the war came.”

Mercer went off to work at a factory of which she has vague recollections, noting only that the jobs “were not pleasant, doing things with war materials. However, someone had to do it.”

After the Second World War there was marriage, although never any children, and a move to the East Coast. Inbetween, her sisters were also married off, which Mercer remembers as especially happy times.

She lived in her own apartment until she was 97 when she broke her hip and moved to Burloak.

Sounding upbeat, Mercer says she keeps busy at the home doing a lot of walking — maybe too much, she adds.

“I don’t like to sit in a chair for very long,” she says, noting she thinks all the physical exercise has kept her as healthy as she is and has perhaps been a factor in her longevity.

“But there are so many things you wonder about,” she adds. “I don’t know why I’ve lived this long.”

She does mention that she followed her parents’ guidance of “no smoke, no dope.”

The Revera-owned home, which is located in Burlington, organizes monthly celebrations to honour all the residents’ birthdays for that month.

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