Lillian Vaughan celebrated her 104th birthday on Saturday.
A member of a tight-knit family, loved ones from the Kitchener-Waterloo, Oshawa and Huntsville areas gathered at Innisfil Community Church with family, friends, and community members to mark the special occasion.
“Aunt Lil’ is very popular,” said Pastor Jennifer Hay, Lillian’s granddaughter.
Lillian, who was born in 1919, has always been a hard worker, as evidenced in the photos showing her moving wood from the family’s trailer at age 98 will attest. She also inspires others to live life to the fullest.
Although she lives with family, Lillian enjoys and maintains her own space and eats what she likes, which includes sweets. One of her favourite meals is a roast beef dinner with all of the fixings.
A resident of Innisfil since 2003, Lillian enjoyed stopping at Leonard’s Beach on the 10th Line to watch the water until she decided to stop driving 10 years ago at the age of 94.
Prior to her husband’s passing in 1982, they lived in Etobicoke while maintaining the family farm in Oro-Medonte, where Lillian was raised.
Never one to shy away from physical labour, Lillian maintained both properties — which included an impressive vegetable garden — for many years after her husband's death.
Hay says her grandmother is a huge sports fan. She has loved the Toronto Blue Jays since they were founded in 1977 and rarely misses a game.
In fact, Lillian celebrated her 98th birthday by attending a Blue Jays game at the Rogers Centre. She even appeared on the JumboTron and the people seated in her section sang Happy Birthday to her.
“This sits closer on her table than some of the family pictures," said Hay, pointing to a signed team photo of the OHL's Barrie Colts.
Hay says her grandmother was also an avid knitter and used to make the most beautiful, cable-knit cardigans that were a staple at many local crafts shows for years.
When asked for her words of wisdom, Lillian said she doesn't procrastinate. When she decides to do something, she doesn’t wait for time to pass her by, because tomorrow is never guaranteed.
“Don’t dwell on things,” she said. “Everyone has their ups and downs in life, but you need to keep going on.”
Family photos — including a photo of Lillian’s parents and photos from her trips to Europe and cruises that she went on with her son, Lloyd, and daughter-in-law, Lynda — were beautifully displayed in an homage to treasured family memories.
Barrie-Innisfil MP John Brassard also presented her with a certificate and a limited-edition pin designed to commemorate the Coronation of King Charles III, which occurred on the same day.
