BRADFORD, Ont. – At 100 years old, this Bradford woman’s sunny disposition still shines brightly.
Mildred "Sunshine" Thompson celebrated her 100th birthday surrounded by friends, family and dignitaries at a surprise party organized by her daughter Marlene Pelshea in Bradford on Sunday, March 17.
Being Irish, she has possibly the best birthday — St. Patrick's Day — when Thompson and many of the guests were decked out in green.
“I didn’t know I had that many friends,” Thompson joked about the turnout. “It was a lovely party.”
Having lived in Bradford for about 30 years, Thompson regularly enjoys spending time with friends and earned the nickname “Sunshine” from those at the BWG Leisure Centre where she goes to exercise several days a week.
“That is one of the main things in my life is to get out and exercise,” she said.
When asked what advice she had for others who want to live a long happy life, Thompson emphasized “good clean living.”
“It’s not hard if you take care of yourself,” she said, adding that she prefers to prepare most meals from scratch.
She still leaves room for the occasional glass of red wine, and enjoys a bit of chocolate everyday.
“It has to be real dark chocolate — 90, 95 or 100 (per cent cocao),” she said.
In addition to raising two children and maintaining the home, Thompson also knits, crochets, sews, gardens, has quilted quilts, created paintings and more.
“I don’t do much complaining. I like most everything,” she said, adding that reaching her centennial doesn’t feel any different than before, and she plans to live another 10 years at least.