By Lucie Roy
Legal – St Emile Roman Catholic Church in Legal was full or well-wishers Saturday afternoon. Family, friends and dignitaries turned out to the church to help celebrate the 100th birthday of Alpheda Morin, who has been Legal’s most senior of seniors since 2005.
An open house was held at the Legal community centre after the church celebration – the celebrant’s two sons, Paul and Louis taking on the master of ceremonies role.
Mrs. Morin was joined by eight children, 20 grandchildren, 34 great grandchildren, and four great-great grandchildren. Afifth great-great grandchild is on its way.
Morin’s longevity has been attributed to her many hours of hard work, the love of her family, and the strength of her faith.
In addition to being surrounded by her family, Mrs. Morin was honoured by the Honourable Ken Kowalski, MLA for Barrhead-Morinville-Westlock, Legal Mayor Lisa Magera, Denis Caron on behalf of the Alberta Canadian French Association Centralta region, and Marie Tremblay on behalf of Le Movement Des Femmes Chretiennes, the latter group of which Morin is a life-time member.
Congratulatory Certificates were received from Prime Minister Stephen Harper, the Governor General of Canada, the Premier of Alberta, the Lieutenant Governor of Alberta, and Westlock-St Paul MP Brian Storseth. Papal Blessing were also sent from His Holiness Pope Benedict XVI.
Morin and her late husband Arthur were both born and raised in Legal. He went to the boarding school in Morinville until the age of 11, but their eight children went to school in Legal. In the early years, Mrs Morin was involved in the Fête au Village making homemade bread, headcheese, pea soup and other types of French cuisine. After the children left home she became involved with Club 60 Roses and served on the board of directors for
14 years.
