L'Hirondelle family helps celebrate a century

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It was quite a celebration, but would one expect anything less when the guest of honor hits the century mark?

Marguerite L'Hirondelle and five generations of family celebrated her 100th birthday on May 10. The party was held five days before her actual birthday, so everyone could get there for the weekend. Relatives attending ranged from children to great-great-great grandchildren. They came from across Western Canada.

The party was held at the Canadian Native Friendship Centre and was emceed by grandson Philip. The night featured a banquet, speeches, salutations and music by Billy Joe Green and his Rough 'N Ready Band.

Born May 15, 1897 in the tiny hamlet of Lac La Nonne, Alta., Marguerite Courtepatte was later raised by the Plante family after her mother died when Marguerite was quite young.

She stayed in Alberta and married Villeneuve area farmer Victor L'Hirondelle. Victor passed away 35 years ago, but the couple still raised a family of six boys and five girls. Her eldest son, Mike, passed away 10 years ago.

Marguerite and Victor farmed near Athabasca and later at Spruce Grove.

Marguerite didn't have an ounce of schooling, couldn't read or write, but was fluent in both Cree and French. She worked at Athabasca's Union Hotel from 1942 until after the death of her husband in 1962.

Marguerite has lived in Edmonton for about 30 years, and during the last year has been a patient at the Dickensfield Auxiliary Hospital in Edmonton.