Life has been difficult for everyone due to COVID-19.
The pandemic is a continuing burden for another Christmas season, but the F.J. Davey Home, along with resident Margaret Nicolson and her family, have some good news to share. Margaret will turn 106 on Dec. 28. The celebration is sure to cheer the community and remind us of the resiliency people have.
“I’ve had fun! I’m very lucky. I’ve had a really good life,” Margaret said.
“If you looked up ‘treasure’ in the dictionary, I am pretty sure Margaret Nicolson’s name is there,” said Sue Burns, F.J. Davey Home program manager in an e-mail.
“Margaret still enjoys playing bingo and movies and still asks for a Pepsi to go with her bag of chips.”
Before moving to the Davey Home, Margaret lived in a condo until the age of 102.
“Still dressed in her matching pant suits and her hair done to perfection, Margaret amazes staff daily. You are always greeted with a smile and given a ‘thank you’ no matter how small the task was to help her,” Burns said.
Born Dec. 28, 1915, Margaret attended Campbell Public School and Sault Collegiate.
She enjoyed being a Soo Greyhounds season ticket holder for many years.
She worked as a hairstylist at The Windsor Park Hotel and at Lawrence Drug Store’s makeup department.
“This is why she has such nice skin!” Burns said.
She enjoyed baking for church teas, playing shuffleboard at the Legion and spending time with friends at the Lions Club.
Margaret was married to husband Don, a grocery store owner (who died in 1999). The couple had two children. Margaret still enjoys a close bond with her grandchildren, nieces, nephews and in-laws.
Margaret is described by the Davey Home staff and family as “a kind soul who always dresses lovely…(and) is a real lady."
“It is an honour to spend time with Margaret, to watch her continue to thrive and enjoy life as a centenarian,” Burns said.