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hompson , Emma Thompson turns 100 today - / There's something to be said By Tom Gavey The Intelligencer Before she was married Emma Thompson's trade was making hats. Sunday, it was hats off to her as family and friends gathered to help her celebrate her 100th birthday. Actually, the celebration at the Knights of Columbus Hall in Belleville was a day early -- to- day officially marks her birth 100 years ago in Huntingdon Town- ship. "There was nothing she could- n't do. She canned, sewed, knit and made hats for everyone she knew," says daughter Dorothy Armstrong, one of 13 children. Today, Emma's hearing isn't what it once was, but there re- mains the twinkle in the eye, es- pecially when an old friend or relative dropped by for a hug and a kiss Sunday afternoon. Emma lived most of her adult life with husband Gilbert and their children on the family farm in Moira. At 94, Gilbert passed away in 1975. Perhaps there's more to be said for hard work than we thought. Along with raising her 13 chil- dren, Emma did all of the work that traditionally goes with a farming operation. And, she taught Sunday School. The daughter of Robert S. and Julie Woods, Emma grew up on White Lake at the 12th Conces- sion of Huntingdon Township. Daughter Dorothy says her in- tense interest in her family led Emma to research and publish a Woods family history. She did the same for the Moira community and used the proceeds to help re- store the village's cemetery. "She has never complained. Up until recently there wasn't anything she couldn't do," says Dorothy. For the past two years Emma has lived in Belleville's Belcrest Villa. She has 24 grandchildren, 45 great-grandchildren and four for hard work Intelligencer photo by Tom Gavey Emma Thompson is surrounded by eight of her children Sunday as they helped celebrate her Oth birthday. Emma was mother to 13 children in all, and nine survive. Pictured are (front row, ft to right) Kenneth, Iva, their mother, Milton and Earl. In the back row (from left) are Dorothy, Francis, Douglas and Elmer. Daughter Ada was in Florida Sunday. ~great grandchildren. and greetings came from the likes and provincial members of par- out t01u i n 10° Pe°Ple turned Of Queen Elizabeth II, Prime liament and municipal leaders. >nelp with the celebrations, Minister Jean Chretien, federal