Mary Peel isn’t going to have a birthday party this year. It’s the first time in over a century that she won’t be visited by friends and family from all over the world, dancing and listening to some of her favourite music.
When Mary turns 106 tomorrow, it’ll be in Nisbet Lodge, the Christian long-term care home where she’s lived since 2019.
The past year has been one of the loneliest and most challenging in her life, which was often marred by poverty and spanned both World Wars, as well as the Great Depression.
May’s family knew they couldn’t allow circumstance to rob Mary of a celebration of her life, especially after her brush with death at the hands of COVID-19.
They put a plan into place.
For each year Mary brought joy, love and warmth to the lives of others, she would receive a card in the mail.
One-hundred-and-six cards in all.
Tomorrow, Mary Peel will receive 106 cards with words to uplift her spirits and let her know that while it may feel like it, she’s not alone.
NOTE: If you would like to send your birthday wishes to Mary (even if they are belated), you can send a card to Mary Peel c/o The Toronto Star, Fifth Floor Editorial, One Yonge Street, Toronto, Ontario M5E 1E6
Original Story: The Toronto Star
