Ann McColl doesn’t remember the last worldwide pandemic in 1918; she was just a baby. The centenarian is certainly aware of the current world pandemic and on Monday, June 1 she marked her 102nd birthday.
With the exception of a few years she spent working in the United States before the Second World War, McColl has happily spent her life in Belfast, P.E.I. She has been a resident of the Dr. John Gillis Memorial Lodge the past number of years.
Many family and friends, as well as staff and fellow residents at the Gillis Lodge, feted McColl on her birthday.
As is her trademark, she had a ready smile and cheerful laugh for everyone who greeted her. This year’s birthday party was the most unusual in McColl’s long life as family and friends practised physical distancing and the greetings took place between a protective window screen.
In her earlier years, McColl was active in community organizations. She and her late husband, Colin, operated the Post Office in Eldon for a number of years. She was also well known to many of the Maritime Electric and Island Telephone work crews who enjoyed meals at the McColl farm. It was a common sight to see the men stretching out in the apple orchard after a hearty mid-day meal.
McColl was born in nearby Roseberry. Her parents were Charles and Mary (nee Stewart) Morrison. Her constant advice through the years has been that people should always count their blessings.
