Saskatoon woman grateful for family on her 103rd birthday

Helen Schreiner celebrates her 103rd birthday at St. Joseph’s Home alongside her family. (Hallee Mandryk / CTV News)

Helen Schreiner celebrated her 103rd birthday on Saturday surrounded by her loving family.

Schreiner is originally from the Wakaw area but now lives in Saskatoon’s St. Joseph’s Home. The birthday girl told CTV News that while she doesn’t have any secrets to longevity, she has always taken the time for self care.

“I guess just going along year after year, looking after myself, I like to look after myself,” Schreiner said.

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Schreiner’s eldest daughter, Gail Dust, said mom’s birthday now also serves as a family reunion they look forward to each year.

“We’ve been celebrating her birthday for many, many years. And it’s a really good time for not just mom, but for my cousins to come and get together and to visit,” Dust said.

Dust added that her mother has always been a social butterfly and enjoys visiting with her friends and family.

“It’s just a wonderful time of fellowship. And mom absolutely adores company... she likes to have people around her... she’s living in a nursing home, so there’s lots around,” Dust said.

Schreiner has eight grandchildren and eight great-grandchildren who often make the time to visit. Dust shared that these visits are a particular highlight for her mom.

“She remembers all of them...they come to visit and they are running around her room and they’re running up and down the hallway and they’re laughing and giggling and it’s just it’s wonderful,” Dust said.

Schreiner’s brother Steve Oleksyn was also in attendance for the birthday festivities. He didn’t have far to travel — he lives in St. Joseph’s Home alongside his older sister.

“A lot of good memories, and she’s older than me so she showed me a lot about things,” Oleksyn said when talking about what it was like growing up with his sister.

Dust shared that having two family members to visit make the celebration even more special.

“She and Uncle Steve both live here, so they eat their meals together. Sometimes they watch TV together. They do a lot of things together. So, it’s a really good time and everyone looks forward to it,” Dust said.

Dust added that watching her mom’s life has been an incredibly valuable experience. Sharing that Schreiner has led by example in many ways. One of eleven children, Schreiner left her family farm near Wakaw at the age of 15 with very little financial stability, before eventually starting a family in the Saskatoon area.

“She taught me how to cook for all, to care for a house, she’s given me advice about how I should live my life. I mean, she’s been a wonderful, wonderful mother. She’s had a very full life in a lot of ways,” Dust said.

Schreiner told CTV that she looks back on all her memories travelling across Canada with a lot of joy. She cited Vancouver and Victoria as particular highlights and added some life advice for others.

“To look after themselves, try and be nice to people. Respect a lot of people. For them to get along with them, and so on. And travel all they can, as much as they can,” Schreiner said.

The 103-year-old added that she’s very grateful to her family for planning the festivities while also acknowledging that she knows how much fun her birthday party is for everyone in attendance.

“Thanks a lot, to all the people that are here, and thanks for all the love from all the people, and thanks to my family for going to all this trouble, but they don’t mind it,” Schreiner said.