On her 100th birthday Dorothy Hillhouse was overcome with emotion as Alex Murray serenaded her, and her closest friends and family celebrated in the party room Tuesday at the Prince George Chateau.
Hillhouse heard the first few notes of the old Scottish song I Love A Lassie by Sir Harry Lauder and immediately wiped a tear from her eye as she sang along.
Murray, in a commanding voice, continued to offer up his talent by singing Roamin' in the Gloamin' and Keep Right On To the End of the Road, while being accompanied on the piano by Val Stanley.
Hillhouse's son David spoke about what fond memories his mother had of her father singing her to sleep with Lauder's songs when she was a child.
"I had a pretty happy childhood in a pioneer home in Saskatchewan," Hillhouse explained.
Her father was William Falconer, who came from Scotland to Saskatchewan in 1910.
"He married an English girl who came across during the First World War."
Her mother's name was Hilda Ash. The couple grew their farm from a quarter section and by 1928 they had six quarter sections and were able to build a brand new home.
Hillhouse married Al in 1944 and raised their only son, David.
"I only have one child but he's a good one," she smiled.
She has two grandchildren and seven great grandchildren she said are the loves of her life.
When Al unfortunately passed away in 2008 while they were living in Victoria, the decision was made for her to move to Prince George to be closer to son David and his family.
She's lived in the Chateau since that time and said she's established many good friendships and enjoys her time in Prince George.
"Everyone's so friendly here," she smiled.
And what's the secret to a long life?
"A good healthy upbringing and good genes," Hillhouse said, noting her father died when he was 88 and her mother died just before her 100th birthday. "We just have to make the best of what we have."
