Grandma Gertie is 102 and still volunteering with kids

"Grandma"GertieWilliamssays the secret to a long life is square dancing, cross-country skiing, and reading withkids.

Williams is a longtime volunteer with the Grandparent Reading Program at Belvedere Parkway School in northwest Calgary.

Earlier this month, she turned 102.

"They say we help the children, and it's very interesting work," she says.

"I thinka lot of them haven't got grandmashere in Calgary."

Big hit

EveryThursday, Gertie and about two dozen other women head out to the elementary school in Bownessand listen as young children read to them.

She's been at it, on and off, since the program began in 1997.

According to the kids, she's always a big hit.

"It's really fun reading with Grandma Gertie," says second grader Kelley Tibbles.

"She's really nice, and I love reading with her."

Erik Beyaert, in grade one, agrees.

"She's the oldest grandparent ... it's like really nice to read to her. And Belvedere Parkway is really lucky to have these parents come [to the school]."

No textingor iPads

The children seem to have a hard time picturing just how old 102 really is, but seven-year-old Tibbles understands things were different when Williams was a child.

"They didn't have texting, I don't think, computers or iPads" she says.

But she imagineslife back in the 1920s was probably "really fun."

Gloria Prokopow has been volunteering at the school for 10 years and drives Williams to their weekly sessions.

"Gertie at 102 is remarkable, and she wants to keep going as long as she can. And she will. She has a few health issues, but she'll just keep coming," Prokopow says.

"Now, we've passed 101, and 102, and she's still with us, and she looks forward to everyThursdaymorning."

Keys to longevity

Williams credits outdoor activities and her ancestry for her longevity.

"I say good Irish blood. My parents came from Ireland," she says with a laugh.

"After I retired, I took up hiking and cross-country skiing and before that I used to go square dancing and I belonged to a rifle club."

As for the time she spends reading with kids: "I think the volunteering makes a huge difference," she says. "Keeps your mind more alert."

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