White Rock’s Dorothy Sharpe marked her 100th birthday last weekend exactly how she wanted – in the company of her beloved family.
The England-born mother, grandmother and great-grandmother turned the milestone age on May 9, with her family – including her son and family who flew in from Ontario – organizing a birthday bash for her the following Saturday.
“I keep thinking it’s someone else,” Sharpe said Friday. “I’ve lived a good life. I made a lot of friends.”
The centenarian noted during her 100 years, a number of memories stand out, more than she could possibly share.
“I could write a book on my memories,” she laughed.
Sharpe was born in England in 1914, and survived the Second World War with a newborn baby while her husband fought the Nazis with the navy.
After the war was over, the Sharpes emigrated to Canada, settling in Toronto until 1972, before moving to Vancouver Island.
Finally, Sharpe moved to White Rock in 1986 to live with her daughter, Pamela Montgomery, when her husband fell ill.
And while she has lived an extensive life, Sharpe can remember details from decades past.
“She’s as sharp as a tack,” Montgomery laughed.
Saint George the Martyr Parish will also host an afternoon tea on May 18 after their 1:30 service in honour of Sharpe’s milestone birthday. All are invited to the church, 1480 George St., for refreshments and to celebrate Sharpe.