i ' f X 100-year-old woman / tells secret of long life By MAUREEN PIER Staff Reporter What's the secret of longevity? Nellie Hutcheon of Stirling, who celebrated her 100th birthday on July 2, says it's "leading a quiet life and the grace of the Lord." Mrs. Hutcheon was born July 2,1878, the daughter of Mr. and Mrs. John Pauley, and grew up on a farm a mile east of Wellman,s Cor- ners. She served an appren- ticeship in millinery at a shop in Stirling, and work- ed for a doctor in Toronto during the 1890's, often driving the doctor on his rounds in a buggy or cutter. She married William Hutcheon, a farmer in Seymour Township, in 1901. The couple celebrated their golden wedding annivejr- Happy birthday! The secret of a long, hap- life? A quiet lifestyle ind lots of faith/ says Mrs. Nellie ing. Mrs. Hutcheon celebrated her 100th birth- day on July 2. - sary in 1951, in the same far- mhouse they lived in when they were first married. A loyal church-goer, Mrs. Hutcheon was a member of Burnbrae Presbyterian Church, and taught Sunday School there for over 40 years, one of her fondest memories, she says. Mrs. Hutcheon lives at Towers Nursing Home in Stirling, and administrator Jack Duffill says she often enjoys reminiscing about her long life. "I remember asking her what they did in the winters before there were snow plows. She said they didn't bother much during the week, but to clear a path on the weekend, all the men would line up down the road and shovel it out by hand/' says head nurse Nancy Bridges. Mrs, Hutcheon says she enjoyed working the farm right alongside her hus- band. "Evenings were quiet- we'd just spend time with the family, and go to bed at nine o'clock," she said. She used to belong to a church choir, and says she still loves to listen to music. "It,s incredible...at the church services; she can remember all the verses of the hymns, even if there are five or six, said nurse Bridges. She received a com- memorative plaque from Ontario Premier William Davis when she reached her 99th birthday last year. About 125 friends and relatives, including her sons Howard and Malcolm, of Stirling, their wives, five grandchildren, and nine great -grandchi ldren, helped her celebrate her 100th birthday. «