When she was 94-years-old, Louise Steer taught herself how to use an iPad.

There鈥檚 no telling what the West 琉璃神社 resident will do for her 100th birthday.

Steer turned 100 Monday (Sept. 25, 2017), celebrating with her immediate family before being joined Tuesday by friends at Westwood Retirement Resort.

鈥淪he鈥檚 led a very interesting life,鈥� said daughter Pat Verrier. 鈥淲e think when they made my mom they broke the mould. She鈥檚 very strong and the most easy-going, gentle soul you would ever meet.鈥�

Born in Swift Current, SK, Steer was the oldest of six kids but moved out of the house during the Great Depression, leaving home at a young age 鈥渟o there would be more food for the other kids,鈥� said Verrier.

She ended up in Vancouver where she met her husband and began raising a family with three kids. Her husband, an aviation engineer, passed away in 2010.

Verrier says her mother is a regular reader of books on her iPad, and is amazed at how much the world has changed in her lifetime.

This past summer, Steer celebrated her birthday with a summer party with about 130 of her closest friends, immediate family and many grandchildren and great grandchildren.

It was a testament to her character how many showed up.

鈥淪he鈥檚 never said a bad word about anybody,鈥� said Verrier. 鈥淪he鈥檚 been an inspiration to anyone who has ever met her.鈥�

Steer is also among a growing trend in those reaching 100 years of age. The 2016 census counted 8,230 centenarians, a 41.3 per cent increase over the 2011 figures.

kparnell@kelownacapnews.com
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