‘Her backbone is strong’: Manitoban celebrates 110th birthday

Mildred Giesbrecht of Winnipeg celebrated her 110th birthday surrounded by family and friends at a Winnipeg care home.

Drinking water, giving back and being kind.

Those are some of the qualities that have helped Mildred Giesbrecht survive and thrive for over a century, her family believes.

“Her backbone is strong,” her son Greg told CTV News. “It’s that spirit of life that I think she passed on to us.”

With an orchid corsage pinned to her sweater, Mildred celebrated her 110th birthday on Friday at the Convalescent Home of Winnipeg.

She was surrounded by friends, family and the staff that cares for her every day. Greg even serenaded his mother alongside his choir. Their set list ended with a Cy Coleman song carefully chosen to reflect the steady drumbeat that is his mother.

“It’s called ‘The Rhythm of Life.’” Yes, that’s her,” Greg said.

Born in Gretna, Man., Mildred married a teacher in her early 20s.

The births of her daughter and son followed and then came loss. Her husband died at 36 years old. In the aftermath, Mildred went to work in her father’s store, then at credit unions in Gretna and Winnipeg.

“She kept herself very busy,” Greg said.

Mildred didn’t slow down in retirement or when she moved into a supportive housing community for seniors. She was always the first to welcome new residents with homemade cakes and cookies, Greg recalled. She was generous in other ways too, spending decades fundraising for the Heart and Stroke Foundation of Canada.

In her 110th year, Greg said Mildred is the oldest living Winnipegger and the sixth oldest living Canadian.

While it’s customary for the birthday girl to be the one opening presents, Greg believes it is Mildred’s family that continues to be on the receiving end of her many gifts.

“She’s so friendly to everyone and encouraging,” he said.

“I think my sister and I have benefited a lot by her example.”

- With files from CTV’s Jamie Dowsett