For all of Freda Gillespie's adult life she lovingly dedicated herself to the farm and her family.
And now its payback time for the family, with each member seizing the opportunity with equal devotion.
On Dec. 14 many of Freda's 41 grandchildren, 75 great-grandchildren and 22 great-great-grandchildren will come from across Alberta, British Columbia, and even as far away as Australia, to Innisfail's Sunset Manor to honour Freda on her 100th birthday.
And when one visits Freda at Sunset Manor it's easy to understand why so many family members adore their remarkable matriarch. She has a blue diary next to her bed that meticulously details every family member's name, birthday and anniversary. Freda never forgets any of them. She loves each and every one unconditionally, and they love her back.
“She is our rock. That has never changed. Her whole life was the farm and her kids,” said Vera Johnson, her fourth-youngest child who came up from Penticton, B.C. to celebrate her mother's milestone birthday. “We are amazed, just amazed but she's in pretty good health.
“People who have known mom for years say today she is still the same,” added Johnson, who is 71. “She is very kind. And very gentle.”
Freda was born Dec. 14, 1913 in Clive. She was raised on a farm. When she was 16 she married Les Moore. She dedicated her life right there and then to the farm and her family.
“She worked hard on the grain farm. She took care of the garden and scrubbed clothes on the washboard,” recalled Johnson. “And it was hard at harvest time with all the extra guys but she would feed all of them.”
Freda went on to have 11 children. Her commitment to each child, along with the work on the farm with her husband, never wavered. Sadly, Moore passed away in 1977.
However, Freda continued her unwavering devotion to her family, but she also found time to have a new love in her life. After her husband's passing she reconnected with an old family acquaintance, Delbert Gillespie, and they married in 1983. The couple then moved to Innisfail.
Delbert passed away in 2000 but the family was always there for Freda, who in turn, was equally available to them.
After spending two and a half years at Autumn Glen Lodge she moved to Sunset Manor in 2011. Freda made new friends while staying connected to her family.
This weekend up to 100 family members and friends are expected to attend her 100th birthday open house celebration on the second floor of Sunset Manor where Freda now resides.
“She's never been one to have a fuss about herself,” said Johnson.
When asked if she is excited about the 100th birthday milestone, Freda merely replied, “No, not yet anyway. I do think it is crazy. Why is 100 any different than 80?”
But they will come; from her children to grandchildren and to today's youngest great-great-grandchild, marvelling at their own history through the beloved centenarian who made each of their lives possible while giving so much of herself with love and devotion for an entire century.
