Inez Chung celebrated her 105th birthday surrounded by family at Sunset Manor on Oct. 26.
Inez joined the centenarian club shortly after she moved into the long-term care facility in Collingwood, and her family wanted to throw her another party to celebrate the next milestone.
“Her 100th birthday was so big, we decided to keep it smaller, just family this time,” said Roderick (Rod) Chung, Inez’s youngest son.
The “small” gathering included over 90 descendants of the guest of honour.
Inez had nine kids of her own, and over the years watched her family grow to include 28 grandchildren, 53 great-grandchildren and her first great great grandchild, who was born in September of this year.
“She’s the glue that holds us together,” said Rod.
The day ended up lasting all weekend and morphed into a reunion for the entire family, who came from all over the world to attend the celebration. Warden George Cornell and Mayor Brian Saunderson were also in attendance.
“It was the first time I’ve seen some of my family in 30 or 40 years,” said Rod.
They spent the day catching up over good food, music, and activities they used to do when they were growing up in South America. On Sunday, they held a large church service at Sunset Manor, where the family sang and prayed together before parting their separate ways once again.
Inez was born in Georgetown, Guyana. She was widowed at age 40 and left to raise nine children with the help of her mother. Her older children moved to England to attend university, and in 1983 Inez moved the rest of the family to Canada.
She moved to Wasaga Beach with Rod ten years ago.
In her younger years, Inez taught music and Sunday school. She travelled a lot to visit her children, who now reside in Jamaica, England, Barbados, and the United States, to name a few.
“She’s lived a very active life,” said Rod. “I remember her always singing and teaching, and being very involved in her church and community. She’s seen more of the world than I have!”
Now Inez spends her days singing hymns, occasionally clapping along with whatever tune is currently in her head. She played the piano up until a few years ago and still has a glass of red wine every evening.
Rod visits his mother almost every day, and Inez smiles affectionately when he speaks to her.
“I am happy when you come to visit,” she said.
“Mom always said her belief in Almighty God and her love of family and all people is the key to a long and healthy life,” he said. Rod jokes they aren’t sure what they are going to do for her 110th birthday.
“We don’t know how many of us there will be by then,” he laughed. “She brings us together.”
