Lögberg-Heimskringla - 15.01.2019, Blaðsíða 9

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Lögberg-Heimskringla • 15. janúar 2019 • 9
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However, Jo and Alice are not our oldest
members. Thelma Wilson has them beat by a few
months, as she will turn 100 in the spring of 2019.
Thelma has served as the honorary president of Jon
Sigurdsson Chapter for many years and oft times
played the piano for us at luncheons, especially at
Christmas. Her daughter Kerrine has replaced her in
that role, as she has inherited her mother’s musical
talent.
Helga Sigurdson, 98 years old, makes the
journey into Winnipeg from Lundar for meetings
and luncheons with her daughter, Linda Sigurdson
Collette. She was also the creator of an Icelandic
doll which raised over $4,000 towards the Jon
Sigurdsson Chapter IODE’s centennial project
for the Children’s Rehabilitation Hospital. Helga
continues to contribute to our fundraising through
her culinary skills, making and selling plum jam and
mysost (Icelandic cheese spread).
The two youngest ninety-plus year olds,
DeeDee Westdal and Gunnthora Gisladottir, also,
have provided the membership with wonderful role
modelling. Over her 65 years as a member of IODE,
DeeDee has done it all. She has served as president
in the organization, co-published the World War
II Icelandic veteran’s book with Jo Wilson and
Dora Sigurdson, baked for the bake sale, and
organized many events
for IODE. Gunnthora,
too, has given countless
hours to IODE services.
A few years ago, I
asked Gunnthora, who
recently celebrated her
95th birthday, “How do
you keep up the pace?”
as she relayed to me her
exhaustive schedule.
She had just attended
five days at the New
Music Festival and on
the Saturday joined the
Jon Sigurdsson Chapter
meeting and then was
off to see friends. She
simply replied with a
smile, “I keep going
and living as much as I
can, because at my age, I
don’t like the alternative.”
Although all these nonagenarians are very
individual in their style and personalities, there are
some things they have in common. They all have
a very positive outlook, no matter what they face,
a determination, and a genuine interest in helping
others. As Agnes Bardal Comack stated, after
performing the plank, “You are never too old.”
At age 99, Johanna Wilson is still an active member and has created two Icelandic dolls for raffle to raise
funds for IODE scholarships. Johanna Wilson receiving a certificate for her 75th year of membership to
the Jon Sigurdsson Chapter IODE from President Alicyn Goodman.
“I keep going and living as
much as I can, because at my
age, I don’t like the alternative.”
– Gunnthora Gisladottir
Below. Thelma Wilson, 99, Honourary President of
Jon Sigurdsson Chapter. Left: Alice Mark, 99 and Dee
Dee Westdal, 93 are both active members of IODE.
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