Rita Janes, a former resident of Boswarlos, credits her longevity to heredity (her mother Margaret O’Quinn died at 99 and a half years of age) and to hard work.
It was hard work that always kept her going, with her eating and cooking off the land – especially cleaning hundreds of rabbits her husband, George Janes, would bring home. In one day alone she says she cleaned more than 30 of them.
She and her husband always had a farm, so she’d be up at the crack of dawn and never went to lie down until all her work was done.
It was at the age of 17 years that she moved to Boswarlos and met and married George. They were together for 61 years before he died at the age of 88 years.
Together they had five children but unfortunately lost three children and three grandchildren at very young ages.
After her husband died, she remained in Boswarlos until she was 92, even planting her own garden each year. She was so proud of her potatoes that one year she entered them in the Port au Port Agricultural and Craft Fall Fair.
Janes said her life was her family and always cooked Sunday dinner for them. She loved picking berries and playing cards, at which she was tough to beat.
Even at her current age, the first thing she wants to do when people visit is play cards.
Janes also loved to knit, especially at Christmas when family members and friends would get homemade socks and mitts. She was a member of the Port au Port Leisure Club for 25 years.
Prior to leaving Boswarlos, she would clap her hands and stomp her feet to a good old Newfoundland tune and would never say no when someone would ask her to dance. She never attended a function without carrying in a tray of baked goods.
Janes moved to the Silverwood Manor in Kippens seven years ago, where a celebration of her milestone 100 years will take place on Nov. 4.
Rita Janes siblings:
Two surviving adult children – Linda Hoskins and Bessie Spencer.
Nine grandchildren.
15 great grandchildren.
11 great, great grandchildren.
One great, great, great grandchild.
Two step great grandchildren.
