Madeleine Chapple celebrated her 104th birthday at Orchard Haven retirement centre in Keremeos last Tuesday, August 23.
Madeleine was born in London, Ontario in 1907. Her parents were Reverend A.E. Jones, United Church Minister and his wife Carrie.
She was married by her father to her high school sweetheart Lyle Stewart Chapple, who died in 1981 after 52 years together. Lyle was manager and part owner of the Kent Dairy in Chatham, Ontario, and later manager of the Kingsville co-op.
Her only son Ralph and daughter-in-law Susan retired to Keremeos in 2003, her granddaughter Carrie lives in Skidegate and grandson Wayne in Victoria.
She has five great grandchildren and two great grandchildren, all living in Southern Ontario.
Madeleine lived for many years in Chatham, Ontario, followed by Kingsville, Ontario. Following the death of her husband, she moved to Leamington, Ontario, until the age of 80 when she moved to Williams Lake to be closer to her son. She was 98 when she had to give up her own apartment due to her loss of balance, and came to Keremeos right at the time when Kyalami Place opened. She was fortunate enough to be one of its first residents. She is now being cared for by the wonderful staff at Orchard Haven.
Until her eyesight failed, she was an avid reader and a Blue Jays fan, and her greatest pleasure has been collecting and displaying antiques.