N.L.'s oldest resident turns 109, and celebrates with a feed of chicken wings
Hersilia Moores of Clarke’s Beach reached a record birthday on Friday
Newfoundland and Labrador's oldest resident has turned 109 but she can't put her finger on exactly what the secret to her longevity is.
Hersilia Moores, who lives at Callingwood Downs Retirement Residence in Clarke's Beach, about 85 km west of St. John's, celebrated the approaching milestone on Thursday with a plate of chicken wings.
"Cheers," Moores told CBC reporter Terry Roberts, ahead of taking a bite. "We're having a real meal."
Moores is nonchalant about reaching a new milestone, and said she feels all the attention she's gotten over her age "is a bit much."
"Tomorrow is another day, as far as I'm concerned," she said.
Born Hersilia Barrett in Bay Roberts on Nov. 22, 1915, she has seen much upheaval and political and change. When she was born, the First World War was still raging, women could not vote and Newfoundland was a dominion and more than three decades away from joining Canada.
She is confident she does not know the secret to longevity.
"I would not have a clue. I just moved on, year after year. And never realized," said Moores, adding that her mother and sister died in the 80s but that her brothers and father died at younger ages. "I have been happy for most of my life."
Her father was a wireless radio operator for the Marconi Company and when she was six, her family moved to Labrador and lived near Point Amour lighthouse, which is now a provincial historic site.
She married Murray Moores, an educator, and his work took the family across the province. They later settled in Brigus, where he was principal of Brigus Academy.
"He was a wonderful person. We had a really good, good life and a good family," she said.
They had two sons: Wallace Moores, who died in 2012, and her surviving son, Lorne, who is 78. "Both the boys were good," said Moores.
When she was 65, she got a driver's license, and gave it up when she was 94. She has also stopped knitting and tending to her flowers because of mobility issues, she said.
While Moores said she's had her share of hardships in her long life, she still believes she's been fortunate, especially when she sees how other people aren't as active as she is.
"I see it and I realize that I am more than fortunate," said Moores.
When she reached 100, Queen Elizabeth II sent her a letter, which is framed and hangs in Moores's room.
She still has a sense of humour, too.
When recreational director Amanda Thompson asked Moores how she planned to celebrate her next birthday, Moores quipped, "Pushing up daisies."
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With files from Here & Now
