One Maritime woman is marking a major milestone – her 107th birthday.
Merle Nelson, of Brookfield, N.S. turned 107 years old Tuesday. Her daughter Jane MacCallum says longevity runs in her family.
“Her brother lived to be 102, so my sister and I joked that she would outlive him,” says MacCallum.
Nelson was born on a farm in East Stewiacke, N.S. in 1908. She credits country living with helping her maintain a healthy life.
“Hard work and good food, that was about it I think,” says Nelson. “My father would go put the cattle in a pasture. He'd take me along with him and we'd put the cows in there and in the afternoon at four o'clock, we had to go and get them all out, in the barn, then milking at five o'clock.”
When she got older, Nelson became a nurse before marrying her husband Frank and having seven children.
Her family believes it was her nurse’s training that kept her on a healthy track – she would not allow processed food in their household.
“She was a really good cook and a good gardener, grew a big garden and canned, pickled, and preserved everything you could possibly put in a jar or a can,” says MacCallum.
“She worked hard, enjoyed herself, a good cook and she drank lots of tea and she said that was the root of making you last for a long time,” says Nelson’s youngest son Lloyd Nelson.
Nelson still knits every day and says it’s important to keep your hands busy.
Her life may have had its share of hard work and sacrifice, but Nelson has no complaints.
“I enjoyed life, I enjoy people, and I enjoy getting around,” says Nelson.
Nelson was still living at home up until a year ago, and retains a strong sense of independence.
With files from CTV Atlantic's Dan MacIntosh
