FILE PHOTO - Elsie Chandler turns 103, Feb. 1.
Image Credit: SUBMITTED/Ken Schneider
February 01, 2022 - 7:00 AM
A Kelowna woman turning 103 today says her positive attitude is what's kept her going this long.
Elsie Chandler, whose birthday is today, Feb. 1, lived through the Second World War. She grew up in London, England and was part of the Air Raid Precautions at the Royal Free Hospital.
READ MORE: Kelowna centenarian and Second World War vet remembers searching London for survivors
She’s grateful to have lived this long.
“I think it’s wonderful. I don’t think it’s different than anywhere else. I just get up every day and do my thing and go to bed,” she said.
After living by herself for more than 20 years, she recently moved into an assisted living facility after recovering from a fall, a change Chandler is still adjusting to and has been taking it one step at a time.
“We never get all the things we’d really like and I have been here, I think this is my third day, but one day rolls into another and I’ve met two nice people at my dining table and I look forward to seeing them when I go back to eat,” she said, adding she feels sad about the change but every day is a new day.
“I think the good Lord put me here for a reason and I’m grateful for the fact I’m sitting in my room and I have a wonderful plant that one of my neighbours sent to me, I'm very, very lucky,” Chandler said.
Her advice to the younger generation is to accept yourself and do the best you can.
“I think the most important thing is being aware that other people are in the world as well as you and if you can look around and help somebody, that makes my day,” Chandler said.
The veteran received praise last year for her 102nd birthday after becoming a favourite customer at a local Save-On-Foods where she was a regular face, just a short jaunt away from her old apartment.
Chandler is one of the oldest people in Kelowna. Out of 195,000 residents, only 405 residents were between the ages of 95 to 99 and older and only 45 residents reached 100 or older, according to 2016 census data.
To contact a reporter for this story, email Carli Berry or call 250-864-7494 or email the editor. You can also submit photos, videos or news tips to the newsroom and be entered to win a monthly prize draw.
We welcome your comments and opinions on our stories but play nice. We won't censor or delete comments unless they contain off-topic statements or links, unnecessary vulgarity, false facts, spam or obviously fake profiles. If you have any concerns about what you see in comments, email the editor in the link above.
News from © iNFOnews, 2022