25 July 2025
Silvera’s latest centenarian enjoyed a childhood filled with adventure and hard work.
Growing up on a farm in Saltcoats, SK, Eileen Gerber, a 14-year resident of Shawnessy Commons, was coming of age when WWII began.
“I was a tomboy,” she recalls, “and I worked in the fields during wartime when there were no men around. I learned to stook grain, drive a tractor, milk cows, gather eggs, and separate cream from milk. It was busy, but we always made time for ball games, wiener roasts and dances!”
She recalls being sickly as a young child, and her family doctor removed her tonsils in his office during one visit for a sore throat. Eileen and her brother also both suffered from polio as youngsters.
Eileen’s early education was in a one-room schoolhouse. “We rode a horse and toboggan to school, and sometimes a cart in the summer,” she remembers. “I did high school courses through correspondence, and then I took a business course – typing – in Yorkton. That was our big shopping place, and we also went there for Saturday night movies.”
Eileen met her husband when he moved to a neighboring farm with his family. “We started going together and got married in 1950. We moved around a bit, from Churchill to Camrose, and then back to Saskatchewan, where Carl worked as a mechanic.” Carl later ran a small construction company in Calgary.
Life was filled with ups and downs. They had six children, one with special needs. Eileen lost one son in 2011 and her husband in 2015.
Reflecting on her longevity and good health, Eileen believes in the power of laughter and happiness. “Don’t take things too seriously,” she says when asked about her secret to a long life. “My mom was a worrywart, and I decided I wouldn’t be like her. Maybe I didn’t take things as seriously as I should have, but I enjoyed life.”
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| Happy birthday Eileen! | Eileen and family celebrated her centennial birthday together |
When Eileen looks back on her life, she has few regrets. “I wish I had gone to Ireland, where my ancestors are from,” she admits. “But I’ve had a good life, growing up on the farm, raising my kids, travelling with Carl when we retired.”
Gerber celebrated her milestone birthday with a family party and another bash with her fellow residents at Shawnessy earlier this week.
Asked about her 100th birthday wish, Eileen pauses.
“I have a nice family, I enjoy living at Shawnessy — the food’s good, the Shawnessy staff are fantastic and kind. What more could I possibly wish for?”