A Whitby nursing home is celebrating one of its residents who turned 109 on Monday.
Elizabeth Hanna was born in Toronto but spent most of her adult life in the city’s Annex neighbourhood with her husband and son.
Today her son Ralph, now 77 years old, told CTV Toronto that his mom always had a strong gusto for life.
“She said as long as God wants her to be here, she will be here and do whatever he wants her to do,” he said.
Despite her age, Hanna has always been fiercely independent, living independently until she was 102 years old. She moved into an assisted living centre after she fell and injured herself.
Hanna is soft-spoken, often whispering or writing on a board when she wants to communicate. But on Monday she was all smiles when three generations of her family came to Sunnycrest Nursing Home to help her celebrate her birthday.
Her family said they believe she has lived a long life because of her fondness for the outdoors, her love of reading and the positive attitude she’s had throughout her life.
“I recently asked her what her secret to such longevity was and she said, ‘just keep breathing’,” said an employee at the centre as she introduced Hanna to the small crowd gathered at the home to celebrate.
Her granddaughter Karen Harry, holding up a photo of a note that says “I love all of you,” says Hanna’s loving words are what she will always cherish the most.
With files from CTV Toronto's Dana Levenson.
