Submitted by Carrie Bennett and Cheryl Hewton
On July 12, 2024 Gloria McNair-Baillargeon celebrated her 100th birthday. A celebration was held on Saturday July 13th at the family farm, home of Bill and Barb McNair. The same farm she raised her family on.
Friends and family were welcomed for a come and go afternoon filled with music and laughter. A gift of music was provided by Dave Nixon and Brooklyn Hewton which of course led to singing and two-stepping. The Tipsy Tavern added ambience to serve refreshments.
A memory corner was setup with pictures, albums, news articles and items from her life. We partied like it was 1924. A place to visit with Gramma was setup so she could enjoy the music and her many visitors. The sun shone and the tents were beautifully decorated with flowers, mementoes and memories.
Mayor Milt McIver presented a certificate from the Municipality of Northern Bruce Peninsula. Granddaughter Carrie presented the certificates of congratulations including King Charles, Prime Minister Justin Trudeau and many other prominent members of Government. She also read the speech below prepared by Cheryl:
“So, what do you get your Gramma for her 100th birthday?
It’s not the number of years in your life but the life in your years. It goes without saying that this lady has had plenty of life in her 100 years. Gloria danced into this world July 12, 1924. The things she saw, the life she lived. She opened every door. In her life she has experienced love, loss, change, happiness, sadness, laughter and life. 100 years of life.
Married for 71 years in total. Harvey McNair for 42 years when he passed in 1983 and to Roy Baillargeon for 29 years when he passed in 2015.
Grandmother, Great Grandmother, Great, Great Grandmother. 5 generations of lessons taught by life.
Married at 17 and moved to the family farm, in 1942 with her new family. She raised her family, involved in community and life’s experience.
She never stopped living, learning to swim at age 60. Taking up her musical passion at 65, taking accordion lessons. She loved playing with local musicians. She followed with guitar and settling on the organ. She loved playing at events and Nursing homes when her and Roy lived in Cambridge and Florida.
I am grateful to celebrate Gramma, I appreciate every girl’s weekend, every moment chasing a full moon, every two-step, moments with our children, every family dinner and euchre game. It’s not the number of years in your life but the life in your years. Thank you for showing us a life well lived. You are loved, to the moon and back. Happy 100th birthday.
So what do you get your Gramma for her 100th birthday. 100 years of life, moments, memories, family, friends. A celebration for everything she is to us.”
It was a wonderful day for a wonderful lady. She enjoyed all her conversations with people from near, far, past and present, friends and family. She was feeling her best in her dress gifted from the ladies at the Classie Casual Boutique and her nails done and gifted by Connie at Spa on six. The cards, calls, messages and special gifts made her feel loved.
We enjoyed a fabulous whitefish dinner prepared by Bev and Delbert Richardson and helpers Michelle and Cory. It was delicious and we appreciate it. Thank you to our helpers, Casey, Ella and Thomas. We would like to thank everyone who helped in anyway to organize, prepare, setup, take down and make this day as special as it was.
