To say that Janet Shier has a good sense of humour would be an understatement.
When asked how she spent her 100th birthday, the savvy senior explained the September occasion was a quiet one.
“Not wanting to miss out on a big celebration, I decided to make my 99th the ‘Big One,’” Shier told the Courier in an email. “You never know at this stage whether you will reach 100. Well, I did. However, I didn't want a repetition of last year and so it was comparatively low key, just a day at home, receiving flowers, good wishes and joined by close family. In the evening I was invited out to dinner with my family.”
Shier, a resident of Cavell Gardens retirement community, was recently awarded the 2015 Let’s Embrace Aging Passionately (LEAP) Award from the B.C. Seniors Living Association. To qualify for the award a recipient must have made an important contribution to the residents of the community they live in, inspire other residents to overcome challenges and champion social causes. Shier exceeded those qualifications.
As part of the nomination process, Cavell Gardens general manager Michelle Cunnington wrote a letter for consideration to the award committee describing Shier’s enthusiasm.
“We as a community, have chosen Janet to represent Cavell Gardens for many reasons — all of which will be disclosed — however if someone could be nominated solely for her positive approach to life, and for being an inspiration and support for others, then Janet would win hands down.”
Shier is a consummate volunteer who started the Knitting Club at Cavell more than a decade ago in support of several charities and for babies and children of low income families living in the Downtown Eastside and Mount Pleasant. Shier was also the instigator and main participant of the home’s Buddy Program, which helps new residents settle in and is a regular organizer of the annual yard sale.
“I began volunteering when I was first married,” Shier said. “I joined a family chapter of Hadassah in 1948. It was very challenging, but we managed to raise money to help the disadvantaged. It gives me great satisfaction to be helping in whichever way I can, even today, in a lesser way.”
Shier says at 100, she’s finally slowing down — a bit. She notes due to arthritis she’s no longer able to knit.
“I'm happy if I can help at the yearly knitting sale or teach a game, participate in our Halloween Bash, go for walks, read, I am an avid reader, sit at the computer and basically enjoy life.”
In fact Shier is the home’s biggest fan of the annual Halloween Bash. Some of Shier’s costumes in recent years include a “skater dude” at age 97, Geisha at age 99 and Bride of Frankenstein this past month.
Shier adds winning the award was a true honour.
“At 100, excitement is a rare commodity,” she says. “Winning the award was just the ticket I needed to feel like a queen for the evening. It was the most wonderful ‘high’ I ever experienced in my whole life.”
Twitter: @sthomas10
