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Gananoque woman shares secret of long and healthy life Featured
Phyllis Vanhorne looks remarkable for someone who is turning 100 years old.
Speaking from her room at Carveth Retirement Lodge in February 2022, the friendly woman talks about her upcoming 100th birthday on March 13 as if it is just another day.
“We were just talking about having a party. How best to do it,” she says, nodding to her two daughters who are sitting nearby.
“There’s nothing I can do about it,” she replies nonchalantly when asked about turning 100. “I’m happy I can see, hear and walk.”
Jumping out of her chair to look at a scrapbook full of newspaper articles, Phyllis admits, “I’ve done a lot of different jobs.”
Those jobs include raising a family of four children (three surviving) with her late husband Sam on a dairy farm on Middle Road; participating in church and community groups; driving school bus from Joyceville to Barriefield; and making more than 500 quilts, including a beautiful blanket on her bed.
“Mom does most of the work by hand,” explains Phyllis’s youngest daughter, Olivia Chuchryk, 71.
“It’s amazing,” adds her sister, Margaret Pyke, 76.
Olivia and Margaret seem equally impressed and grateful for their mother’s good health. They say she only stopped driving her car two years ago.
Asked about the secret of her long and healthy life, Phyllis replies quickly, “Work hard and be happy with what you’re doing.”
“I think it helps to be interested in lots of things,” adds Olivia who describes her mother’s interests as the Women’s Institute, quilting guild, euchre groups, legion, church and others.
“Her family has had quite an impact on her life,” adds Margaret. “Her siblings have been a wonderful support.”
Phyllis is one of six children in her family. Only three are surviving and they all reside at Carveth Care Centre in Gananoque. Grace Leakey lives in the retirement loge with Phyllis, and Irene Curtis lives down the hall in the long-term care home. Interestingly, their mother lived to 94, grandmother lived to 96 and great grandmother lived to 104.
“Having that family connection is big,” says Olivia.
Speaking on behalf of the home, Lodge Manager Phyllis Lorbetskie notes, “Phyllis Vanhorne is remarkable. She’s an award-winning quilter who even helped judge entries for the fair board. She loves fiddle music and all our social events such as Drumfit. Her family is extremely important to her.”
Flipping through her scrap book, Phyllis shows articles and pictures of her award-winning quilts. She even had a couple in the International Quilt Museum in Nebraska and her quilts were featured in a 2018 benefit at the Montreal Museum of Fine Arts.
Reminiscing about their childhood, Olivia and Margaret remember shopping trips to buy quilting material.
“She didn’t waste anything,” Margaret says with a smile.
“The quilting, to me, has been her passion,” adds Olivia. “She would get up in the morning just to quilt. Mom has always had an eye for good quality work. Her own work was masterful, and it brought her into contact with bright, creative women.”
Raised on Middle Road in Kingston, ON., Phyllis remembers growing up in a house that didn’t have electricity. “We didn’t even have a radio,” she explains kindly.
The girls smile at the difference in their mother’s circumstances and point out that the computerize sewing machine she received for Christmas eight years ago cost more than the family farm bought in the 1950s.
Looking at her daughters as she talks about her life, Phyllis notes wisely, “Passions are important. Both girls are interested in fabric arts. Their grandmother and great grandmother were quilters.”
Summing up the last 100 years, she says with pride, “I made the best of each day as it came along.”
Carveth Care Centre is delighted to celebrate the 100th birthday of Phyllis Vanhorne on March 13, 2022. Anyone wishing to extend congratulations can send a card to the home attention Room 110. To learn more about living or working in our home, please call 613-382-4752.