Long-time Amherstburg resident celebrates her 100th birthday

Vera Badiuk (seated, front row) was honoured on the occasion of her 100th birthday. Among the guests at her party last Saturday afternoon at Encounter Church were her family, friends, Essex MPP Anthony Leardi (far left) and Mayor Michael Prue.

Friends and family of Vera Badiuk filled the hall at Encounter Church on the weekend to celebrate a significant milestone in her life.

Badiuk was honoured on the occasion of her 100th birthday last Saturday, with her actual birthday being this past Monday. 

“We call it 100 years of perfection,” said daughter Linda Purdie.

Born in Saskatchewan in 1925, Badiuk moved to Amherstburg in her teens. She was married to her husband George from 1949 until he passed away in 2006.

An avid bingo player, family members were planning to take her there later in the day.

Badiuk has seven children, 17 grandchildren and 27 great-grandchildren, many of whom were in attendance last Saturday. She expressed her gratitude to everyone who attended her birthday party.

Asked what her secret to her long life is, Badiuk smiled and said she has no real secret. She added she is pleased to be able to share her special birthday with her loved ones.

“It’s something out of this world,” she said of the festivities.

Badiuk said she was seeing a lot of people that she hadn’t seen for quite some time, some as far back as 20 years. She was greeted with flowers, cards and gifts by her loved one and stated she didn’t expect the party to be as large as it was.

A pair of local politicians were on hand to recognize Badiuk. Essex MPP Anthony Leardi congratulated Badiuk on her historic milestone and presented her with a special certificate from Premier Doug Ford. 

Ford honoured Badiuk on her milestone birthday with Leardi also presenting Badiuk a framed photo of Queen Elizabeth II, as Badiuk has been a great admirer of the late Queen.

Mayor Michael Prue said of the 100th birthday parties he’s attended, most say their long lives are due to healthy eating and living well. He added that they also have family and friends who love them, and that was clearly the case last Saturday afternoon.

“That’s the secret, I’m sure,” he said.

Prue said the town is “so proud of you and what you have done,” and referenced the fact Badiuk worked at the Anderdon Tavern and Duffy’s Tavern in the past.

“They’re all closed down but you are still going strong,” said Prue.

Long-time Amherstburg resident celebrates her 100th birthday

By Ron Giofu