As of this year, the two oldest senoir citizens in the small coastal community of Saint-Augustin, Quebec have both turned 90 years old, or maybe I should say "90 years young." Mrs. Margaret Leon (affectionately known as Maggie) and Mr. Percival Wellman are definitely a joy to be around. They both love to have a good laugh and delight family and friends with their quick wit and willingness to recall stories of what life was like in the good ol' days, almost taking you back in time with their vivid memories.

Maggie was born on February 15th, 1923 at Saint-Augustin to parents Alfred Lavallee and Mary Ann Kennedy. She had a happy childhood, often recounting one of her favourite memories, which was hanging out the wool socks that her mother had knitted for Santa Claus. Inside the sock she would receive an apple, a piece of chocolate and a few pieces of assorted candy, which was cherished. It was especially good for trading when a friend or sibling had something you wanted and their treat was long ago eaten! At the age of 16, she married her sweetheart, Peter Leon, on February 6th, 1939. Together, they had a total of 8 children, 5 grandchildren and 4 great grandchildren. During the two weeks leading up to Maggie's 90th birthday, her great niece, Liane Kandler, had a wonderful idea. Liane requested family and friends on facebook to help celebrate her great aunt's milestone day by sending her 90 cards for her 90th birthday. The idea spread like wildfire and on her special day the cards poured in, the local radio station CJAS announced her card count nearly every hour during her birthday while playing her song dedications. Family, friends and the community came together and helped to meet and surpass the 90 card goal! There were beautiful birthday cards displayed all over Maggie's home and she was extremely touched by the wonderful gesture. Cards were still appearing in her mailbox weeks after her 90th birthday, she keeps them in a box as a souvenir. When I asked her what was the best thing about being 90, she said: "I have many good memories of my life, family and friends. That makes me very happy."

At the beginning of August, Mr. Percival Wellman joined Maggie in the 90s club. Percival was born on August 8th, 1923 at Sheketika Island to parents Joseph Wellman and Emma Julia Shattler. He recalls the many happy times he spent with his father Joe being taught how to trap and fish, a right of passage for any young man in those times. He also remembers when Mr. Mike Maurice taught him how to build a boat as if it was yesterday. Percival lived for many years in Spoon Cove, which was a small community on an outside island from Saint-Augustin, spending his days trapping and fishing. He jokes about how it was no easy chore to get around in those days. He would paddle often from Spoon Cove to Saint-Augustin, which is roughly 18 km apart. No, in those days you could not get around easy at all but you made the journey anyway. He married the love of his life, Lillian Mckinnon, on February 9th, 1948 at the age of 25 years. Now 65 years married, they have a total of 5 children, 10 grandchildren, 13 great grandchildren and 2 great great grandchildren. Loving the idea of 90 cards for a 90th birthday, a few family members of Mr. Wellman sent out a request via facebook and the local radio station, CJAS, to help celebrate his big day by receiving 90 cards. And so family, friends and the community pulled together to make it happen. Once again the 90 card goal was reached and then some, delighting him wholeheartedly on his momentous day. Two weeks after his birthday Mr. Wellman was still receiving birthday cards, with a chuckle he says that he has never seen so many cards just for one person's birthday. When I asked him what was the best thing about being 90, he said: "I've lived a long life so now I can put my feet up and relax more and let someone else do the work (he pauses and laughs) but I still like to do some things myself."

Mark Twain said, wrinkles should merely indicate where the smiles have been. A nice thought indeed. Wrinkles are like a badge of honour and each and every senior citizen is honoured through the course of their lives with them. Congratulations Maggie and Percival on your milestone birthdays.

Abbygail Wellman
Saint-Augustin, Quebec

  Submitted By: Abby Wellman