CRAPAUD, P.E.I. — A baby weighing 1 pound five ounces in 1918 could have been a tragic tale.
But, for Annie Leard of Breadalbane, it was just the way she began what would be the next 100 years of her life.
Leard celebrated her 100th birthday on Aug. 19 with a party at the South Shore Villa in Crapaud.
Her actual birthday is today.
Surrounded by about 200 of her friends and family, Leard was happy with the turnout.
“There are so many people here,” she said with a smile.
Included in the crowd were Leard’s three children, Sharon Rose, Donald Leard and Margaret Gaudet.
Many of her seven grandchildren and 13 great-grandchildren also were part of the celebration.
“She is such a special lady to all our family — especially her extended family,” said Rose during a speech at the party, “whether it was Aunt Annie’s biscuits at a family function, ginger lace cookies in the cookie jar in Westmoreland or that strong MacDonald handshake to the many people she has met over the years.”
Leard was born and raised in Breadalbane to a family of eight. She stayed in Breadalbane until moving to the villa when she was 94 years old.
When asked what the key to her longevity is, Leard said, “working hard.”
To this end, she held a variety of jobs over the years, including working at a café in Truro, N.S., for a while during the Second World War.
“It was very busy,” said Leard.
She also helped her brother, Alex, on the family farm during the war.
Leard’s daughters have a strong memory of their mom helping other farmers, too.
“I remember when she would help neighbour farmers cut seed potatoes, plant them and then pick these in the fall,” said Rose.
Leard’s longevity was not without one close call.
One day on the farm, her leg accidentally got caught while bailing hay.
“She went up with it in the hayloft,” said Gaudet. “It opened, and she dropped.”
Leard was married in 1949 to Eldon Leard.
The two spent 55 long years together before Eldon died in 2004.
After his death, Leard chose to stay living in her home.
“I guess that generation had a very matter of fact way of life and that life goes on,” said Rose.
“When our dad passed away she faced it and we have to, too.”
The way Leard handled the death of her husband was admirable for her daughters.
Both Rose and Gaudet lost their husbands this year and have found strength through their mother.
“If we can only be like her – the strength that she shows us,” said Gaudet. “She is the strength behind us.”
