Sudbury's Kathleen Marie James, born June 18, 1919, enjoyed a centenarian celebration Monday and officially hit the 100-year mark on Tuesday.
James celebrated her 100th birthday at the Minnow Lake Legion Branch 76 Monday with cake, family and friends, and will be enjoying a second celebration Tuesday afternoon at Pioneer Manor. This is the third member of the Legion's Ladies Auxiliary to celebrate their 100th birthday.
While James said that every birthday over the years has been her favourite, she very much enjoyed her celebration, especially because of the beautiful weather. Although the significance of the milestone doesn't seem to play a part.
"Oh whoopty-do," said James, after being reminded of her age by her daughter Sandra Olive.
One hundred years wiser, James said there is no advice she would give those around her aside from, "live your life and be happy."
"I had a good life, I had a very good life," she said, and the secret she shared to that was "good living, good food and not too much drink."
Looking back on her long, beautiful life, James said she thinks of the friends she has had along the way - many of whom were able to share the impressive milestone with her over the two-day celebration.
It's nice to celebrate with the community, when I look around I see everyone even people sitting on the other side (of the hall), she said.
"I just love Sudbury - the people, this branch, this has been my foundation."
James was born the only child of Henrry Alexander Ryan and Catherine Mary Apps, in the community of St. Leonards-on-sea in Hastings, England.
"My mother would take me everywhere and she would always (allow) me to bring a friend with me," said James, creating the social butterfly Sudbury has come to love over the years.
While her daughter Olive said that her mother has not always had the easiest of lives, she always managed to push through, maintaining a positive attitude despite life's trials and tribulations.
"Work, lots of work," is what James said gave her strength over the years, and according to Olive, this suits her mom to a 'T'.
"She always wanted to be doing something."
Growing up James helped behind the counter of her parents' grocery store, until in her teenage years, her father told her, "you're going to be 14-years-old, you have to go and work and get a job."
Nervous and unsure, her mother suggested she come work at the laundry with her.
"I went to work the next day at the laundry and stay there for years," said James, "I loved the laundry."
In 1944, James married Pat Rilley and the two boarded the SS Nieuw Amsterdam for Canada, arriving in Halifax Dec. 25 of that same year. The pair took a train to Sudbury upon arrival, where they remained ever since.
When the two first arrived in Sudbury they lived with James' sister-in-law and her family, the two youngest daughters of which joined in the celebration yesterday afternoon at the Legion. James was hired at Sudbury Steam, where she worked for a number of years.
Over time James and her husband had three children, Pat, Linda and Sandra Rilley, who blessed them with three grandchildren – Steven Oliver, Cheryl Clement and Kathryn Olive. Since that time, James has become the great-grandmother to Amanda Clement, Emily Clement, Dylan Briggs, Tyson Olive and Carter Olive.
A number of years following the passing of her first husband to cancer, James remarried Manford James in 1956, who in time became an invaluable member of the Minnow Lake Legion. "Kay" as she became known by the community there, joined the Ladies Auxiliary in 1971, earning the title of president in 1975.
James earned many titles during her time at the Legion, but it was her DJ skills and classic country-western record collection that formed her legacy. Every Saturday night for many years, James would hold dances for either the Legion or the Ladies Auxiliary, in addition to hosting special events such as weddings or birthdays.
Since the passing of her husband in 1979, James has become increasingly close with members of the Minnow Lake Legion, which is a great comfort to her daughter Olive as most of their family lives apart.
"I've been away from home for 50 years, so I don't know all the people that she knows," said Olive. "I was really happy that the legion stepped up and said, 'we'll do this’.
"These girls from the Legion have been so good to her and she enjoys their company. It means a lot to me that I see these women and they're so thrilled to do this."
Around 13 years ago James moved into Pioneer Manor retirement community, where she spends her days watching tv, enjoying time with friends, and reading "old-fashioned" books such as westerns she said - but she'll read anything she can get her hands on.
With a lifetime of experiences, James said for the future, she hopes for "the same day as yesterday or the day before...(to) be kind to everybody, be social to everybody, to enjoy each other's company."
