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Melfort's Reita Fennell turns 112 on Nov. 20. (Angie Rolheiser/northeastNOW Staff)
Happy Birthday!

Saskatchewan’s oldest person and Melfort resident turns 112

Nov 20, 2019 | 12:49 PM

The oldest person in Saskatchewan is now 112.

Reita Fennell of Melfort is celebrating yet another birthday today.

She is the second oldest person in Canada.

Fennell said in her 112 years she has continued to eat well, never drank pop, tea or coffee.

“I just didn’t like the taste and I didn’t like the smell. I thought the smell is just horrible,” Fennell said.

Fennell is a grandmother of three boys, a great-grandmother of seven, and a great great-grandmother of five which she considers to be highlights in her long life.

For the most part, Fennell said she feels pretty good.

“On really good days I’d like to go back to the Legion Place, I love the Legion Place,” Fennell said. “When I think it all over and maybe the next day I don’t feel so well, I’m glad I am where I am.”

Fennell has been a resident of Parkland Place for under a year, and was living unassisted at Legion Place prior to that.

A family get together was planned for Fennell for last Saturday but she wasn’t feeling up to the party so she expects to have many calls and visitors throughout the day.

“One girl came in this morning, I don’t know where she came from but she was wild, she was just singing and hollering ‘Happy birthday Grandma Deat,’ and grabbed me and hugged me,” Fennell said.

A typical day for her might include some crocheting but she doesn’t spend much time in front of the television.

“I’m not a great lover of T.V., I used to read quite a bit but my one eye is failing a bit but I love to shop,” Fennell said.

Fennell still gets out to church as often as she possibly can at the Salvation Army.

“I love my church, I love my God, and someday I’ll meet him face to face,” she said.

According to a Facebook post by the Office of the Lieutenant Governor of Saskatchewan, Fennell is also the 52nd oldest person in the world.

angie.rolheiser@jpbg.ca

On Twitter: @Angie_Rolheiser

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