Ninety-Nine – And Still Going Strong! by Conni Attwell A surprise event occurred when I was shopping one Friday morning at the James Bay United Church Thrift Shop. The volunteer ladies there announced that one of them was celebrating her 99th birthday. Of course we were all awestruck and sang “Happy Birthday" to her. Ninety-nine years old and still working? Awesome! Subsequently, when I was invited to attend a birthday luncheon in her honour, I had to talk to Lydia Kinnear to find out the secret of her energy and longevity. Her answer, "I was blessed with good health, I guess". No surprise there, looking at this lady with lovely skin, hair and personality, who appeared to be much younger than her years. "I just keep going (like the energizer bunny?), and I have no idea why. The only major illness I've had was when I had my appendix taken out when I was eight years old, and I have the great long scar to prove it". Born in Saskatchewan on January 16, 1908, Lydia spent her childhood homesteading as one of nine in the family. One sister and two brothers are surviving. She married James Kinnear in Winnipeg in 1939 and they had many happy years there together. She had no children herself but raised her husband’s two sons as her own and now has grandchildren in Winnipeg. She was a nurturer to her family and when her husband retired from banking about thirty years ago they moved to Victoria. Her husband James passed away about ten years ago, and a couple of years after that Lydia moved to a one-bedroom suite in James Bay, and volunteered to help at the Thrift Shop because "I like people". She spends Tuesday and Wednesday mornings sewing and mending some of the donations and can be found selling in the shop on Fridays between 10 a.m. and 2 p.m. Lydia rises at 6 a.m. and usually goes to bed around 10 p.m. She admits she doesn't sleep well but that never bothers her. It doesn't seem to affect her the next day and she hardly ever naps. She said her memory is not good but that never bothers her either "I was always like that." I got the impression that this lovely lady does not let anything “bother” her; maybe that's her secret? There was no evidence of memory problems when I spoke to Lydia. In fact she gently helped me when I was determining the year she was born and how to spell Saskatchewan - oops. She is a lovely, unassuming, gracious lady who is known for her always neat appearance. Dressed in skirt and sweater she is the only one of us who doesn't wear slacks. She lives on her own, does all her own housework, has a trusted nephew who looks after all her business, and to crown it all, she only needs glasses for reading. Wow. I am sure Lydia could tell us many stories of her life which I don't have room for but suffice it to say she is an example to all of us on how to live your life. I have already booked my spot at her 100th birthday party. I have no doubt she will be there - but will I? Note: I believe Lydia was born in Melville, Saskatchewan and, coincidentally, Melville will also be celebrating its centenary in August 2008. Back to Profiles