As COVID-19 continues to cause chaos in our lives, one of the few humans who was alive for the last global pandemic celebrated a major milestone on Aug. 18.
Chilliwack’s Hedy Sutulov enjoyed her 106th birthday at the Birchwood retirement residence on Patten Avenue.
Hedy was four years old when the Spanish Flu pandemic swept the globe in 1918 to 1920.
For this year’s birthday, Hedy enjoyed a piece of cake and was given an orchid because she loves gardening.
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“Although she said she felt tired that afternoon from talking with so many people for her birthday, her spirits were high,” said Kimberlee Stelmaschuk, Birchwood’s lifestyle and program manager. “I continue to be starstruck by her every chance I get to see her and speak with her, as I know that many of us feel here at Birchwood.”
Hedy is in great shape for 106 and was still driving up until a couple years ago.
She was born in Austria and moved to B.C. after falling in love with the mountains. A former X-ray technician, Hedy hiked Mount Cheam when she was 85 years old and could still be seen on local trails when she was 90.
Nowadays she’s content to garden and listen to opera.
“We hope that Hedy has another amazing year ahead,” Stelmaschuk said.
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