2 minute read
Forever Young—Gilian Worsnop
Forever Young
Gillian Worsnop
illian was and continues to be an inquisitive, energetic and social being. She loves the open country of Canada, the vast number of experiences growing up and wants to live forever. It was a much gentler world growing up in England and even though she lived through WWII, Gillian still found excitement, beauty and thrills during that time.
At the age of 86, Gillian enjoys living alone but finds time to socialize and maintain friendships. Her daily walks and love for keeping fit even had a woman recognize her on one of her trips to Belize when the lady asked her, “aren’t you the walking lady from High River?” She loves her early morning walks in the summer and after having open heart surgery years ago to replace a valve, she is able to go long distances.
Her love of nature started at an early age when the family would visit her grandparent’s acreage in the country by the sea in England. She was a bit of a tomboy and loved to climb trees in the orchard for apples. She and her younger brother were evacuated to the country to stay with a woman who had no children during WWII. Her mother was working for the WRNS (Women’s Royal Service) and her father was a marine on a battleship. Her older brother went to live with their grandmother. Gillian remembers that her mother would come to visit when she could, but was appalled at Gillian’s hair cut and eventually the children left to live with her in the countryside. They would go on picnics and explore caves, but the most exciting was watching the dooley bugs or “buzz bombs” that the Germans dropped very near their home. They would stand on the bunker and be thrilled at these weapons of war much to their mother’s horror.
Gillian was a nervous teenager but at the age of 16, was living in a female hostel in England and was traveling with a tour group. She felt she was more interested in the boys, than a scholarly education. She did some blue light posing and danced, sang and acted in the Reviews of that day. When she turned 20, she emigrated to Canada and married Michael. Their marriage lasted 50 years and after
Graising five children, Gillian now has many grand and great grandchildren. A fond memory is having one of her granddaughters brush out her hair when she would babysit.
Gillian loves the comfort of her home and relishes the idea of having a “living apart together” relationship and going for lunch or outings together. She has had many romances in her lifetime and considers herself a bit of a flirt. From running sterilized surgical instruments at the hospital to being the hostess at the Calgary Tower, she believes that the world would be a better place if we would just love one another and care for others. Gillian’s ultimate dream is to live in a little house with a beautiful garden. She prays her mind will stay strong because you can always adapt to circumstances. Life is for living and Gillian does just that!
