Varied interests keep 99-year-old going
The Thunder Bay chapter of the Canadian Federation of University Women took time Sunday to honour its most senior member.
During its general meeting, the group’s president, Liz Poulin, presented Helen Knights, who turns 99 on Thursday, with flowers and a card.
Knights graduated with a bachelor of arts from Victoria University, within the University of Toronto, in 1935.
She spent a few years working as a dietitian in a girls’ school where she also cooked during the Second World War.
Knights married a soldier who died overseas.
She moved to Thunder Bay when she married Orval Knights, who worked for Thunder Bay Harbour Improvements.
Orval installed the concrete bases on several elevators along the waterfront, Knights said on Sunday.
She said she has been involved with the Canadian Federation of University Women for years because she enjoys the company.
“We have different gatherings and clubs you can join. There’s a social group, a book club, whatever your interests are,” Knights said.
For a 98-year-old who will soon be 99, Knights is a very active woman.
She still drives, makes quilts, and spends time with friends and family.
Her granddaughter plans to fly from Toronto on Thursday to take Knights out for lunch. She’ll have to return to southern Ontario that day.
Knights said she believes her secret to longevity is her enjoyment of spending time with people.
“I just enjoy everything I’m doing. Today I’m a quilter, but I’ve tried all kinds of art.”
She said she also thinks having three good meals a day is important, something she learned while working as a dietitian.
CFUW members were excited about Knights’ milestone, Poulin said.
“It’s just incredible that someone at this age is so active, so vibrant. Her life is full of so many interests,” she said.
Poulin called Knights “a trailblazer” because there weren’t many female graduates when Knights got her bachelor of arts.