Goldie Coleman wondered what all the fuss was about. She said no newspaper had ever bothered her before about an article.
But recently her daughter Deloras Howard was going through an old trunk and found a copy of a July, 1932 edition of the Innisfail Province. And there was Goldie. An article was written about her marriage to a man named Clarence Coleman. In fact, it was an extra special wedding. Getting married along side them was Goldie’s sister Beulah and Clarence’s brother Frank. It was a unique family affair, and a most special celebration.
And this week, almost 80 years after that article, there will be another very special family celebration. Goldie is turning 100-years-old on Canada Day. Goldie’s family is honouring her with a family birthday party the following day at the Innisfail & District Historical Village.
“I’m very proud of her. A Canada Day celebration makes it even more so. It is a wonderful accomplishment,” said the beaming daughter, the only child of Goldie and Clarence, the latter passing away in 1992.
Deloras, who now lives in Abbotsford, B.C., will be at this week’s birthday party, along with more than 100 friends and family, including numerous cousins, nieces, nephews, grand children and great grand children.
“I have a lot of family still in the area, said Deloras, who is now 70 years young.
Goldie was born a century ago in Raven after her parents had moved from Nebraska to homestead. She grew up in a home of five girls and two boys. In 1932 at the age of 21 she married Clarence.
“I wanted to go to university but my parents could not afford it,” said Goldie.
There were no regrets, however, and the couple remained committed and loyal to each other until her husband’s passing almost 60 years later.
“I still worked most of my life, mostly cooking,” said Goldie, who moved into Autumn Glen Lodge last year. “I drove my car until I was 95. They kept giving me my licence because my eye sight was so good.”
For many decades Goldie and Clarence were well known to residents in the region as hard working and community-minded citizens, having lived in Raven, Innisfail, Spruce View and Knee Hill Valley, where the couple ran the pioneer general store and post office for nearly six years. During that time Clarence worked for Red Deer County in the roads department.
Today Goldie is still active, and a well liked and respected resident at Autumn Glen.
“She’s pretty outgoing, a very pleasant and sociable lady. She likes to know what is going on,” said Emily Amey, the lodge’s activity coordinator, adding Goldie can often be found playing cards or bingo.
So what is the secret to Goldie’s continued long life and good health? She concedes she was never a drinker nor smoker but one thing she always loved to do was dance.
“I quit about 10 years ago but I think I could still dance,” said Goldie.
Deloras added she believes her mother’s secret has been her diet, noting she did not eat a lot of meat and consumed regular good-sized portions of vegetables.
“And good genes. Her dad, my grandfather, lived to be 94,” said Deloras.
In the meantime, Goldie is looking forward to meeting most of her family members at her birthday party on July 2, even if she is modestly wondering what all the fuss is about.
“I never really thought it, or the Canada Day thing. I guess my mother thought of those things (Canada Day birthday),” said Goldie.
But many people today are thinking about it, and more than 100 will express this in warm and loving ways on Canada Day and the next at the historical village. A few may even ask Goldie to dance once more. And yes, eight decades later, Goldie gets another newspaper article as well.
