With the proverbial saying, “Sharp as a Tack”, Jean Luella Robertson (nee Coates) with her quick wit and extensive memory proves it’s true even at 100 years of age.
On Saturday, April 20th, she celebrated a century of life, surrounded by family and many life-long friends at a special birthday party held at the Chantry Centre in Southampton.
There she greeted the many old friends and reminisced with them of by-gone days and stories.
She also received recognition from King Charles and Queen Camilla, and on behalf of the government of Canada from Huron-Bruce MP Ben Lobb.
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The story of the Centenarian began on a Leap Year, when Jean Luella Coates was born on Easter Sunday, April 20, 1924, the daughter of Alex and Laura Coates and grew up on the family farm in Ellangowan, a few miles south of Paisley (ON).
Jean was one of only two siblings with her older brother, Walter, born in 1921 and who died in July 1993.
In the early 1940s, she moved to Port Elgin for work. It was there that she met Beverly William Robertson and, in October 1946, they married.
The couple settled on what became the family farm on Bruce Rd. 3, where they carried out mixed farming of dairy cattle, swine, a flock of laying hens and a small flock of geese.
Jean’s role transitioned from bride to mother, with the birth of her three children, Wayne, Elaine and Diane. Wayne, the first child to come along, was also a Leap Year baby born in 1948, following in the footsteps of his paternal great-grandmother.
Always a life-long 4H club member, in the 1960s, Jean became a familiar face at the many local agricultural fall fairs including Port Elgin, Paisley, Chesley, Tara, Tiverton, Hanover and Walkerton. There she delighted in competing with her baking skill where her cakes, pies, cookies and breads won many prizes.
Jean was crowned Queen of the Fair at the Hanover Fall Fair, an honour bestowed upon her in recognition of her exceptional baking entries. This caught the attention of the regional television station, CKNX in Wingham, which soon extended an invitation to be a participant on the afternoon M’Lady show, a local program that celebrated the skills and crafts of local chefs and artisans.
Another chapter in Jean’s life was as cook at the popular Saugeen Golf Course. There, Jean’s culinary skills shone, particularly through her butter tarts, which became a legendary item on the menu. Over one summer, she remarkably baked over 10,000 butter tarts.
In the 1980’s, they retired as farmers but continued to live on the farm, when her husband Beverley died in February, 1993.
Following the loss of Beverley, Jean began to explore new interests at the local senior centres, including the Chantry Senior Center in Southampton, the Sauble Sandpipers and later the Plex in Port Elgin. Already a Euchre card player, she soon learned to play Bridge, a game that not only challenged her intellectually but also allowed her to forge new friendships and remain actively engaged with her community.
Jean was also a long-time member of Southampton United Church, where she was often first to arrive on a Sunday morning.
Today, Jean continues to live independently in her own home on Bruce Rd. 3 in Saugeen Shores. She is thankful for the Community Services support she receives and for the assistance offered by her neighbours.
