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Celebration honours Creston's Miriam Standen on 100th

The Creston Valley Seniors Hall on Feb. 18 was packed with family and friends to congratulate Miriam Standen and to celebrate her 100th birthday...
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Miriam Standen recently celebrated her 100th birthday.

The Creston Valley Seniors Hall on Feb. 18 was packed with family and friends to congratulate Miriam Standen and to celebrate her 100th birthday.

Perhaps the most cherished card came from Buckingham Palace from Queen Elizabeth II.

“I am delighted to hear that you are celebrating your one hundredth birthday. I send you my warmest congratulations on this happy occasion and good wishes for an enjoyable day.”

The governor general of Canada described her life as an incredible journey: “Over the years, you have experienced the world’s many cycles and revolutions of change; your own personal history is forever woven into the tapestry of Canadian heritage.”

The prime minister of Canada and the premier of British Columbia, on behalf of the two governments, sent their congratulations, wishing Standen “every future happiness”.

Locally, Mayor Ron Toyota on behalf of the council and residents of the Town of Creston extended very best wishes on her special day.

“It was Saskatchewan’s loss and Creston’s gain when you moved here in 1936,” he said. “You are an inspiration to us all, Miriam, and we encourage you to keep demonstrating your zest for life.”

A certificate of appreciation was presented by Pauline Bullee on behalf of the Creston Valley Seniors’ Association.

Finally, the ladies’ auxiliary of the Royal Canadian Legion’s British Columbia/Yukon command thanked Standen for her 71 years of dedicated service with all the wonderful memories and also “all the hours of service, laughter, tears, and most of all the love and caring you have displayed to your fellow ladies’ auxiliary members. Joining the Canadian Legion of the British Empire Service League ladies auxiliary in 1940, and not only were you one of the LA’s charter members, you also received your life membership in 1956, your MSC in 1975 and an award of merit in 1979. The changes in the LA that have occurred are also incredible, from not being allowed in the bar, to now allowing male members to join the ladies’ auxiliary.”

During the course of the come-and-go celebration, Standen received congratulations from her three children, 10 grandchildren, 15 great-grandchildren and 11 great-great-grandchildren, as well as many of her local friends. Perhaps as many as 100 people circulated through the hall that afternoon.

Kudos to the organizer, Dorothy Marsh, Standen’s daughter. She was assisted by her brother, Harold, and her sister, Cheryl. The ladies’ auxiliary did a great job of catering both the come-and-go celebration and the family banquet for over 50, a wonderful finish to a memorable and happy occasion.