'golden girls' celebrate more than a century of sisterhood during p.e.i. visit
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violet oicle, right, who is 106 years old, visits with her younger sister, ferne edgecombe, 103, during their annual summer reunion at andrews of stratford on july 22. the sisters, who grew up in dartmouth, n.s., make it a point to see each other each year.
vivian ulinwa
/
the guardian
violet oicle and ferne edgecombe try to see each other at least once every year.
this year, the reunion brought oicle, 106, from nova scotia to andrews of stratford, where her 103-year-old sister lives.
over lunch on wednesday, the sisters reflected on more than a century of memories from swimming in halifax harbour as girls to travelling the world together as widows.
“when you’re 106, you don’t know how many more years you have or days,” oicle said. “it’s nice to get together, and it makes you appreciate the time that we spend together.”
the sisters frequently finished each other’s stories, corrected each other’s memories and laughed at recollections from decades ago.
staying active
the sisters grew up in dartmouth, n.s., as two of six children.
today, they are the only surviving siblings after the death of their younger sister, martha, last year at the age of 98.
looking back on their long lives, both sisters pointed to staying active as one of their secrets to a long life.
“just keep going. don’t give up,” oicle said. “because if you stop, you’ll never get going again.”
edgecombe agreed and she also said that eating well is also important, lots of fruits and vegetables.
sisters ferne edgecombe, 103, left, and violet oicle, 106, share a smile during lunch at andrews of stratford on wednesday. oicle travelled from nova scotia for the sisters’ annual visit.
vivian ulinwa
/
the guardian
growing up, they spent their time swimming, skating and walking. their family lived close to halifax harbour, where they would swim and dive when the tide was right.
oicle said she still enjoys canoeing and had been out on the water shortly before travelling to p.e.i.
“i can paddle all the way,” she said.
working and travelling together
oicle and edgecombe remained close even as they began working and raising their own families.
oicle worked as a legal secretary for a law firm for eight years, while edgecombe worked at a bank nearby. their offices were about a block apart and they would have lunch together.
later in life, after both sisters became widows, they began travelling together. their trips included visits to jamaica, hawaii, venezuela and mexico.
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one boat excursion in mexico remains a memorable part of their travels.
oicle recalled sitting on the deck before the boat left and telling her sister how much she expected to enjoy the trip. soon after departure, however, the water became rough and she became severely seasick.
violet oicle, who is 106 years old, enjoys lunch at andrews of stratford on july 22 during a visit with her 103-year-old sister, ferne edgecombe.
vivian ulinwa
/
the guardian
while oicle returned to the hotel with other sick passengers, edgecombe remained on the excursion.
“she stayed there all the time, having a grand time. left me there. she didn’t care how i got back,” oicke said, prompting laughter from her sister and two other family members gathered around them.
“i worried about you,” edgecombe said in her defense.
good friends
family members call the sisters the “golden girls,” a nickname inspired by the popular television sitcom.
edgecombe said the name was given to them by a relative and has stuck ever since.
“well, i think it suits us. if you’re over 50 or 60, we qualify.”
the two sisters still joke about their individual strengths. edgecombe can walk faster while oicle is great at canoeing.
grateful for every year
edgecombe said she is grateful simply to still be alive and able to see and think clearly at 103.
oicle said she is most thankful for her health, because it still allows her to travel from nova scotia and spend time with family.
“i like to think that i’m still fairly kind of sensible. you know, for my age, how many people get to live to be 106? let alone to be able to travel and to enjoy life like us,” she said.
“i think it’s wonderful, and i think i have so much to be thankful for. i thank god every day.”
when asked whether the two sisters would describe each other as best friends, oicle said, “i think we’re pretty good friends.”
edgecombe agreed.
“i hope so.”
vivian ulinwa is a reporter for the guardian in prince edward island. she can be reached at vulinwa@postmedia.com and followed on x @vivian_ulinwa.
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