Kincardine woman celebrates her 100th birthday

Miriam Flatt says she doesn't feel a whole lot different now than she did years ago.

The resident of Malcolm Place, Kincardine, celebrated her 100th birthday, with family and friends, Thursday afternoon; even though her birthday wasn't until Saturday.

Born Sept. 24, 1916, and raised in the Hamilton and Burlington area, she trained as a couturier and dress designer and had her own shop before she married Jack Flatt and moved to Dundas. They were married for more than 60 years before he passed away.

They had three children, Jane and her husband, Paul Rigby of Kincardine; John who passed away; and Peter and his wife, Kathy Flatt of Cumberland, Vancouver Island, British Columbia. She now has five grandchildren and nine great-grandchildren.

While she raised her family, Mrs. Flatt was an active volunteer, serving as a Guide leader for many years. Jack was a founder of the Rotary Club in Dundas, and after he suffered a stroke, she developed a respite care facility at St. Joseph's Villa in Dundas, with funding from the Rotary Club.

About three years ago, Mrs. Flatt began to lose her vision, and could not live on her own, so she moved to Malcolm Place to be near her daughter and family. She now enjoys listening to books from the CNIB (Canadian National Institute for the Blind), watching television, and "breaking out" of the retirement home now and then to go out for dinner. Her daughter brings her dog, "Tekkie," in to visit at the retirement home, as well.

Mrs. Flatt said she never thought she would live to be 100 years old, because her brothers and her sister, who are all younger than she is, have all passed away.

She finds it remarkable the many changes she has seen over the past century. But one of the major ones, is the telephone.

"I remember when we were young, we were never allowed to touch the phone," she said. "Now, everywhere you look, people are carrying cell phones with them."

She has no interest in learning how to run a computer. "I have enough trouble operating the remote control for the TV," she said, with a laugh.

So, what's her secret for living to be 100?

Mrs. Flatt said she always kept busy, with knitting and sewing. She still enjoys a glass of wine, and a box of chocolates with almonds.

"I didn't realize how old I was until I hit 80," she said, laughing. "But now, I am getting old."

Guests at the birthday party enjoyed refreshments, with tea served by Sylvia Kirby, and entertainment by Malcolm MacDonald on the piano.