Second Word War veteran’s wife in Sudbury, Ont., turns 102 on Remembrance Day

Carmel Fairbairn of Sudbury celebrated her 102nd birthday on Nov. 11 surrounded by loved ones at the Lasalle Residence. She took time to remember at the 11th hour because she knows first-hand the devastation and impact of war.

Fairbairn was joined by family, friends and tenants of the Lasalle Residence in two minutes of silence. She hopes everyone takes the time to remember.

Carmel Fairbairn of Sudbury celebrated her 102nd birthday on Nov. 11 surrounded by loved ones at the Lasalle Residence. She took time to remember at the 11th hour because she knows first-hand the devastation and impact of war. (Photo from video)

"I hope they remember what the young men went to war and some came back some didn’t," said Fairbairn, whose first husband, Stanley, returned from France in 1944 as a double amputee.

He passed away in 1984.

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“He come under shell fire from some tanks and went in a trench and a shell hit the back of the trench and all the shrapnel, he lost both arms,” said Stanley's son, Dave Fairbairn.

Fairbairn said his father also sustained other critical injuries but survived.

"Plus he had what they call a sucking wound," he said.

"A piece of shrapnel enter(ed) his back, went through a lung, hit his chest in the front -- the bone in his chest -- and deflected came out the side of his neck."

Happy, healthy life

Fairbairn said his mother worked hard as a homemaker to ensure a happy and healthy life for her family and everyone around her.

"I think that is what I have learned from her, just to really appreciate people," he said.

On her birthday, Carmel Fairbairn shared some of her secrets to living more than a century.

"Just be happy and enjoy each other," she said.

Family, friends, staff and tenants at the Lasalle Residence joined Carmel in enjoying her favourite dessert -- carrot cake -- to celebrate turning 102.