She can't ride a horse, but that's OK.
Victoria Gutfriend, a local Laurier Manor resident, celebrated her 100th birthday Tuesday.
During her long and healthy life Victoria, also known as Vicki, found there wasn't much she couldn't do in this world. But there's one thing that she just didn't think was worth the time and effort.
"When I tried to ride a horse, they didn't just let the horse walk away, they went and gave it a slap and the horse jumped and I went flyin' and after that I didn't want to go near a horse, so that's the only thing I can't do - ride a horse," laughed Vicki.
There's definitely a formula to enjoying a long life.
"No fast food, no smoking or drinking alcohol and no drugs, for heaven's sake," advised Victoria, whose husband, Greg, lived to be 100 years and nine months before he died Dec. 21, 2013.
"And if he would've listened to me he'd still be here!"
Born in a log house in northern Saskatchewan in 1917, Vicki was supposed to be a new year's baby.
"But it was too cold for me to come out so I stayed where I was for three more days," laughed Vicki.
Vicki and Greg, who married April 16, 1942, moved to Prince George in 1961 from Nelson, because Greg got a good job offer to work as a planer operator.
Vicki found work at McLeod's in the men's wear department and stayed for 13 years, then she followed her passion and became a chef.
Vicki went on to cook for special occasions at the local Moose hall for about seven years and has fond recollections of the many special occasions that took place there.
Vicki has been a very active in the Prince George community as a member of St. Mary's Catholic Church, the Red Hat Society, and the Legion senior centre. Vicki enjoyed keeping active by curling, bowling, bicycling and cross country skiing.
She was also an Eastern Star volunteer.
Vicki is proud that she has been on four different cruises and traveled as far away as Australia and New Zealand.
There is another birthday celebration at St. Mary's Hall on Saturday where Vicki is excited that she will make her entrance into the hall accompanied by a bagpipe where she will receive a blessing on behalf of the Pope.
There will be a dinner held in her honour where her five living siblings will be in attendance.
Her two brothers are coming from Hamilton, Ont. and her three sisters are coming from Winnipeg, Man.
Vicki had a dozen siblings and is the oldest surviving member of her family.
"I imagine it will be quite a do," said Vicki.
"It's important to enjoy what you have. I still got my marbles and I wouldn't trade my marbles for nothin'! And thank God I'm still here. Just think, I'm only 50 years younger than Canada."
