It’s a day only a small percentage of the population gets to celebrate, and on July 19, family and friends of Mary Lukenchuk (born Markiwsky) gathered at Extendicare in St. Paul to celebrate her 100th birthday.
Sitting in front of her pink and white birthday cake, enjoying a piece of it herself, Mary was quiet while her daughter, Adeline Topping, recalled some of her fondest memories of her mother.
Seeing Mary reach the 100-year milestone is something that may have been predicted, considering her exciting entry into the world on July 19, 1915. When Mary’s mother began experiencing labour, she ventured out to get help from a nearby cousin. That cousin told Mary’s mother to go back home.
So, she began walking and ended up delivering her baby girl in a field. She wrapped up her baby and had to walk about two miles to get help.
“She was born with a fighting spirit,” said Adeline. Growing up as the oldest of 10 children, Mary would see a life that involved a lot of hard work. Her dad left the family after the children were born, but life on the farm, which was located near Myrnam, continued.
A total of four of the 10 children are still living. And Mary’s brother, Nick Markiwsky, still lives on the family farm, which received the title of being a century farm about three years ago.
In 1941, Mary and her first husband John Markowsky, moved to St. Paul. The couple had only one child, Adeline. Markowsky passed away in 1961 at just 52 years old. Mary remarried a few years later to John Lukenchuk. In 1969, Lukenchuk had a stroke and never fully recovered. He has since passed away.
Throughout her time in St. Paul, Mary worked at a number of businesses in town, including St. Paul Cleaners, and the Co-op.
When her father was still alive, Adeline remembers her dad managing what was known as St. Paul Auto Wreckage. The business was located where the Elite Movie Theatre now stands.
One particular day, a preschool aged Adeline was playing outside in her usual spot when her mom asked her to come inside the building. Adeline refused, and her mom grew angry and hauled her up the stairs. Within moments, a vehicle struck the building where Adeline had been playing.
“How’s that for mother’s intuition?” said Adeline as she told the story to those in attendance at the birthday party.
Adeline recalled how her mother enjoyed gardening, “was a whiz at crib,” and also took up fishing with her brother, Nick.
In her late 80s, Mary realized living on her own had grown to be too challenging, and moved to Sunnyside. She also quit driving at the age of 88. Being a practical lady, she had decided it cost too much money to pay for a vehicle, gas, insurance, and parking, recalled Adeline.
She eventually was moved to Extendicare, and although she was confined to a wheelchair after taking a rather bad fall and injured her hip, “she still maintains a good spirit and a fine mind,” says her daughter.
When asked how she felt about turning 100, Mary was short on words, saying simply, “It’s good.” Perhaps a little overwhelmed, Mary appeared to be enjoying the fuss that was being made for her during her afternoon party, which also included messages read out loud from the federal and provincial governments offering congratulations.
A message from Governor General David Johnston recognized Mary for being part of the nation’s story, stating, “Your own personal history is forever woven in the tapestry of Canada’s history.”
