Guelph’s beloved Helen Brimmell’s birthday was celebrated by dozens of cars decorated with balloons, banners and ribbons driving and honking around The Village of Arbour Trails.
Brimmell’s day began by seeing a birthday banner in front of her window filled with numerous messages and signatures.
Nurses, residents, friends, and family stood in masks as they cheered, laughed and sang to celebrate the milestone with flowers and presents placed beside Brimmell as she waved to the cars passing by.
“Everybody I know came out to the parade,” said Brimmel adding that she is grateful to everyone who participated in the celebration.
“I feel surprised that I made it so far but it feels awfully nice.”
She said it never occurred to her that her birthday would be spent during a pandemic but said she is most grateful for making it to 100 in good health.
“Really, to make it to 100 I feel like I’ve achieved something,” said Brimmell.
To honour the occasion, Brimmell also received a certificate from Mayor Cam Guthrie.
Recreation team member Erin Gruter at The Village of Arbour Trails who has been working with Brimmell since she entered the residence building three months ago said Brimmell has been a bright spirit ever since she arrived.
“She’s always happy. Every time I see her, she’s always excited and happy to see you no matter what. Even in this time,” said Gruter.
“She’s a real straight shooter.”
Recreation team member Victoria Ritchie said it was important for the team to do something for Brimmell because she is such an important member of the community who lived in Guelph for so long.
“We wanted to do something small for her even if its a car parade or a sign in front of her bedroom window,” said Ritchie.
So what’s the secret to reaching 100?
In 100-year-old Brimmell’s words: “You just keep putting one foot over the other and keep on going.”
Brimmell graduated from the University of Toronto in 1943 and worked for the Canadian Press in Toronto and then went on to spend a number of years in Parliament Hill in 1946.
In 2016, she was honoured in the House of Commons for years working in Parliament Hill. She was also one of the earliest females members of the Canadian Parliamentary Press Gallery and a journalist with the Guelph Mercury for 35 years.
Brimmell’s daughter Luise Tripp who organized the event said growing up with her mom was really interesting because of the love she had for her profession.
“Shes a newshound first and foremost. Her and my dad were newshounds,” said Tripp.
“Growing up with her was actually really interesting because even as a little kid when the Cuban missile crisis happened, we would all go down to the border to watch the US planes flying. I mean it was always the news.”
“She’s an exceptionally interesting, smart woman and can tell you stories you wouldn’t believe.”
Tripp said the parade turned out really well with many of Brimmell’s loved ones and community members on the scene.
“She’s been able to see all her friends, they’ve been able to come over and talk to her,” said Tripp.
“The parade was absolutely marvellous,” said Brimmell.
