An ode to Joy: Nova Scotia centenarian dies at 105
![Joy Saunders Centenarian Joy Saunders is pictured in Lunenburg, N.S.](/content/dam/ctvnews/en/images/2020/5/12/joy-saunders-1-4936274-1712954140078.jpeg)
A 105-year-old woman from Lunenburg, N.S., who was an inspiration to many during the pandemic, has died.
Joy Saunders made headlines in 2020 when she walked 102 laps around her neighbourhood to mark her 102nd birthday and raise over $80,000 for the Victorian Order of Nurses, a group she once worked for.
“I still had my legs, they still worked, so I did it,” said Saunders at the time. “I’m glad I did something good at the end of my life.”
Saunders’ contribution went far beyond the monetary, according to her friend and former CTV Atlantic host Nancy Regan.
“She heard from hundreds of VON members that she had given them hope and made them feel seen at a supremely stressful time,” said Regan in an email.
In 2021, Saunders was awarded The Sovereign’s Medal for Volunteers in recognition of her volunteer contributions with the VON.
Born during the First World War, Saunders lived through both World Wars, the Great Depression and global pandemics.
She believed if we are to live well, we must care for one another, especially during difficult days.
With files from CTV Atlantic's Ceilidh Millar.
For more Nova Scotia news visit our dedicated provincial page.
CTVNews.ca Top Stories
![](https://www.ctvnews.ca/polopoly_fs/1.6976871.1721873052!/httpImage/image.jpg_gen/derivatives/landscape_800/image.jpg)
DEVELOPING Jasper updates: 'Significant loss' within Jasper townsite
One of two wildfires threatening Jasper National Park has reached the townsite.
Alberta calls in army to assist with wildfire situation
Alberta has called in the Canadian Armed Forces to help assist with the worsening wildfire situation in the province.
Biden explains why he ended re-election bid in Oval Office address
U.S. President Joe Biden on Wednesday delivered a solemn call to voters to defend the country's democracy as he laid out in an Oval Office address his decision to drop his bid for reelection and throw his support behind Vice President Kamala Harris.
Barrie-Innisfil MPP 'blacked-out' and crashed car into window of child care centre
Staff at a Barrie child care centre say they are frustrated by what they call a local MPP's inadequate response after a car crashed through a window in one of the toddler rooms.
Norad intercepts Russian and Chinese bombers operating together near Alaska in apparent first
The North American Aerospace Defence Command (Norad) intercepted two Russian and two Chinese bombers flying near Alaska Wednesday in what appears to be the first time the two countries have been intercepted while operating together.
2 Canadians being 'sent home immediately,' removed from Olympic team after drone incident
An analyst and an assistant coach with Canada Soccer are being removed from the Canadian Olympic Team and 'sent home immediately,' according to the Canadian Olympic Committee.
An unwelcome attendee has joined the Paris Olympic Games: COVID-19
After a handful of Australian water polo players tested positive for COVID-19 this week, questions have emerged around how the spread of the disease will be mitigated at the Summer Olympic Games in Paris.
Vacations, meals, booze: Contractor used $100K of charity's money for personal expenses, B.C. court finds
A B.C. man who was hired to help a non-profit build a food hub but instead spent the money on personal expenses – including travel, restaurants, booze and cannabis – has been ordered to pay more than $120,000 in damages.
Male, female killed, 2 others injured in 'gun battle' outside Toronto plaza: police
Two people are dead and two others suffered serious injuries following a shooting that police have described as a 'gun battle' outside a plaza in Scarborough, Ont. early Wednesday morning.