Lola Larmour celebrated her 100th birthday in Navan on March 31 with over 40 family members including her five children (l to r) Judy, Ruth, Betty, Gordon and Jane. FRED SHERWIN PHOTO

When Lola Larmour was born, the First World War had just ended, cars were still a novelty and television hadn’t even been invented yet.

On March 31, Lola celebrated her 100th birthday surrounded by her five children, 12 grandchildren, 13 great-grandchildren and five great-great-grandchildren in the St. Mary’s Church Hall in Navan.

It was the first time Lola and all five of her kids had been together in over 40 years and the first time that the entire clan has ever been together. The scene brought a bright smile to the centenarian’s face who was thrilled to be among her extended family and friends.

“It’s absolutely wonderful. It’s such a nice present,” said Lola, referring to the gathering.

Born in 1918 in a two storey home in Cheney, Lola, whose maiden name is Stephens, has spent her entire life in the Ottawa area. She first married in 1940 to Lytle Monahan with whom she had four children – Betty, Gordon, Judy and Ruth all of which were home births.

After Lytle passed away in 1947, Lola met and married her second husband Howard Larmour in 1950 with whom she had a fifth child, Jane. The couple moved into a log home on Larmours Lane near Sarsfield where Lola continued to live until she moved into the nearby Hervé Joly seniors residence in 1989, five years after her second husband passed away.

Through the years, Lola has been active in the sewing and quilting community, winning multiple red ribbons for her handiwork. To say she is spry is an understatement. She insists on doing her own housework and cooking and still walks up to her second floor apartment rather than take the elevator.

Unable to drive herself, Lola counts on her friend and fellow Hervé Joly resident Thérèse D’Amico, who she refers to as her adopted daughter, to drive her to the grocery store and other appointments.

Asked what the secret is to her longevity, Lola says it’s her desire to stay active. “You have to be willing to keep trying different things and do stuff. You just can’t sit around your room and watch TV all day,” says Lola who almost never watches television herself, preferring instead to pursue her many hobbies including sewing and quilting which she still does.

She doesn’t drink any alcohol and she maintains a healthy diet and regular exercise routine. She also has a deep belief in God.

“I’m happy and I’m enjoying life,” says Lola who is the living epitome of the old saying that life is indeed for the living. “As long as God gives me the strength I’m going to keep going,” Lola adds between well-wishers. “You can never give up.”

(This story was made possible thanks to the generous support of our local business partners.)