I Service to be held Saturday UbJtt /?/>W<r/ov f- V • Story continued from page 1. But Hagerman is probably best known as the Wel- come Wagon Canada hostess for Belleville, a job she held for 51 years. As a hostess for the organization, she found sponsors from local businesses, which prct vide gifts for newcomers to the area. Hagerman was so good at the job a national award was created in her honour several decades ago. "She was one of the highest producers in Ontario," said Jenkins. "She could sell." ; n Hagerman was very close to her daughter and two granddaughters, Laura Orr and Kristin Jenkins. Defying Father Time, Hagerman drove a car until she broke her hip at age 98. She fell taking out the trash, but with her indomitable spirit, she crawle$ back up 22 stairs to her apartment to call for help. That was the first time in her life she took medication, said Jenkins. Despite being a centenarian, Hagerman didn't pay a lot of heed to her age. "She thought she was going to live forever," quipped Jenkins. "I don't think she ever thought about being that age ... She was always optimistic." Pauline Hill, principle owner of Welcome Wagon Canada and now an honourary chairman of the board, said Hagerman was the only other person to be a hostess longer than herself and remained committed to the company after retiring. She believes Hagerman worked until age 90, although it may have been longer than that. One of the things that amazed Hill was Hagerman's memory, which remained sharp to the end. Hagerman was "so personable, very practical and as I say... she was just so with it. Really, I loved her dearly." A service will be held for Hagerman at Bridge Streelt United Church this Saturday, April 10 at 1 p.m. Jenk- ins said it will be a "celebration of her life. Everyonfe thinks of mother and smiles." i