Algonquin-Renfrew-Pembroke MP Cheryl Gallant brought greetings from the federal government to Hazel Hawthorn at her surprise birthday party at the Maypole Tea at Calvin United Church in Haley this past Saturday (May 10th).

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Haley Station – When Hazel Hawthorn showed up for the Calvin United Church Maypole Tea Saturday afternoon, little did she know she would be the event’s guest of honour.

Mrs. Hawthorn will celebrate her 100th birthday on May 31st, and the conveners of the tea and her family secretly planned an early surprise birthday party.

Convener Mona Brydges announced the purpose of the tea was two-fold: to raise funds to send youths to camp, plus celebrating Mrs. Hawthorn’s birthday.

The surprised guest of honour quickly turned to her niece, Lianne Oattes, and asked, “Did you know about this?”

After a rousing rendition of Happy Birthday, she was presented with balloons and a birthday cake from the organizers and received certificates from the municipal, provincial and federal governments.

Whitewater Mayor Neil Nicholson thanked everyone for attending what he described as an incredible event, not only for the community but for Mrs. Hawthorn.

“To have the opportunity to recognize someone who has contributed so much for so long to our community, this small token can’t even begin to represent everything that Hazel has done,” he remarked. “But the friendship, the fellowship of the group of people she has here today, is that thank you.

“So on behalf of the council and the community of Whitewater, we just want to recognize 100 years and counting,” he added.

Renfrew-Nipissing-Pembroke MPP Billy Denault brought greetings on behalf of the Ontario government.

“Similar to Neil, I want to recognize Hazel,” he said. “I’m happy to be here as well to recognize the impact you have had on the community, as well as the riding of Renfrew-Nipissing-Pembroke. It’s certainly an honour to be here with you to celebrate 100 years,” he added.

Algonquin-Renfrew-Pembroke MP Cheryl Gallant brought greetings on behalf of the federal government.

“On this remarkable milestone, we celebrate not only a century of life, but a century of love, wisdom and experiences that have touched the lives of so many,” she said. “Reaching 100 years is a rare and special achievement, and today, we honour you for all the joy and inspiration you’ve brought to those around you.

“May this day be filled with cherished moments and memories, the company of loved ones, and all the happiness you so richly deserve,” she continued. “Your journey through life is an inspiration and we look forward to celebrating many more beautiful moments with you. May God bless you.”

Mrs. Hawthorn was the middle of five and the only surviving child of Newton and Effie McLaughlin.

“I grew up on the Queen’s Line and my nephew, Greg McLaughlin, is still on the home farm,” she noted with pride.

She attended S.S. No. 4 Ross where she completed her elementary studies.

“Then when Dominion Magnesium started, they bought the school,” she recalled.

Mrs. Hawthorn said she was the first member of the family her parents were able to send to high school, which was in Renfrew.

“My father would take me down Sunday night and he’d pick me up Friday after school,” she recalled. “I stayed with relatives during the week.”

She attended Teacher’s College and after graduation, taught for four years before marrying Harold Hawthorn, a farmer in the community. The couple met through church and were both involved in activities through the church.

“He was the one that had a vehicle, so he was quite often the one that would come and pick me up,” she said. “It was nothing serious. Then it gradually grew to something serious.”

They had two children, the late Harlow, who passed away in 2024, and Harvey. Her husband died in 2002.

She taught at a rural school between Cobden and Eganville for two years that had Grade 1 to 8, and then two years in Forester’s Falls at a two-room school in the Junior classes.

When asked what the secret to her longevity was, she paused briefly and said, “I keep thinking about this and I think it was because I was happy.”

“I had a happy childhood, a happy marriage, and sure there were disappointments and challenges,” she continued. “But really, they were minimum to what I enjoyed.”

She said she couldn’t omit the benefits of country living.

Mrs. Hawthorn obviously has seen many changes over her 100 years and was asked what she considered the most positive and negative ones.

“One of the things that wasn’t good was when they opened the sports on Sunday,” she said. “Then the parents had no choice. Our son was the goalie for a hockey team, so how could we take him away from the team, because you don’t have too many goalies.

“It was terrible for the parents,” she added. “Do you force them to go to Sunday School or do you let them play their game? I think that was one of the most damaging things that could have happened.”

As far as a good thing, she said the introduction of electricity was a most welcome service.

“I remember when we got hydro on the farm, that was really something.”

Mrs. Hawthorn said she has been blessed with good health her entire life, noting she lives alone in her ground-floor apartment in Cobden. She is a woman of deep faith and is presently a member of the United Church in Cobden, having joined the congregation after the Queen’s Line church closed.

“I often say I don’t have an ache or a pain and I thank the good Lord for that.”