Melfort's Reitta Fennel celebrated her 112th birthday on November 20. (Angie Rolheiser/northeastNOW staff)

By Angie Rolheiser

Mega Milestone

Year in Review: Saskatchewan’s oldest resident turns 112 in Melfort

Dec 23, 2019 | 2:00 PM

northeastNOW is taking a look back at the biggest and most interesting stories of 2019, as selected by our newsroom:

The oldest person in Saskatchewan is a local resident.

Reita Fennell of Melfort turned 112 years old on November 20.

Her birthday not only signified being the oldest person in Saskatchewan but also the second oldest person in Canada.

Fennell told northeastNOW she can’t really say if there is a secret to living a long life, but in her 112 years she continued to eat well and never drank pop, tea or coffee.

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“I just never liked the taste and I didn’t like the smell. I thought the smell is just horrible,” Fennell said.

Fennell is a grandmother of three boys, a great-grandmother of seven, and a great-great-grandmother of five which she considers to be highlights in her long life.

For the most part, Fennell said she feels pretty good.

“On really good days I’d like to go back to the Legion Place, I love the Legion Place,” Fennell said. “When I think it all over and maybe the next day, I don’t feel so well, I’m glad I am where I am.”

Fennell moved into Parkland Place about a year ago. She was living unassisted at Legion Place prior to that.

A typical day for her might include some crocheting but she doesn’t spend much time in front of the television.

“I’m not a great lover of T.V., I used to read quite a bit but my one eye is failing a bit, but I love to shop,” Fennell said.

Fennell still gets out to church as often as she possibly can at the Salvation Army.

“I love my church, I love my God, and someday I’ll meet him face to face,” she said.

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angie.rolheiser@jpbg.ca

On Twitter: @Angie_Rolheiser