Laura Jibb celebrates 100 years
Darlene Wroe
Local Journalism Initiative Reporter
TEMISKAMING SHORES - Laura Jibb crossed the century mark on April 21.
A resident of Extendicare in Haileybury, she was treated to a special celebration April 19 with family members and friends, and a visit from Temiskaming Shores Mayor Jeff Laferriere.
Steve Benoit was present and sang many of her favourite songs including Country Road.
She was born in Hudson Township to Gerald and Millie Peters and was one of ten children. She had four sisters and five brothers.
Her younger sister Viola lives in the Windsor area.
Laura married Morley Jibb and the couple had four children - Sherron, Bert, Larry and Shirley.
Shirley Jibb related in a telephone interview that the couple crop farmed in Kerns Township, and Morley also worked at Wabi Iron and Steel in New Liskeard.
When Morley's eyesight began to fail the couple moved to 25 John Street in New Liskeard.
Morley passed away 53 years ago, Shirley said. She was the youngest of the children and when she started high school, her mother went to work at Lavery Jewelers and Spencer Jewellers, and worked for a short time at the high school cafeteria. Mrs. Jibb also volunteered at the Tuck Shop at the hospital, and sold daffodils for the Cancer Society.
Mrs. Jibb later moved to 105 Market Street in New Liskeard and enjoyed playing cards and bingo and also doing leather work, her daughter said.
She lived on her own until she was 98, before she moved into Extendicare in Haileybury.
Along with her four children, Mrs. Jibb has 11 grandchildren, 26 great-grandchildren, and 29 great-great-grandchildren.
"She's still pretty sharp," Shirley said of her mother at the 100th birthday celebration.
"A lot of the songs, she was singing along with them. Steve Benoit plays there once a month, and she really likes him. Country Road is her favourite song and he sang that for her."
Darlene Wroe, Local Journalism Initiative Reporter, Temiskaming Speaker
