Joyce Jay was frank when asked about the secret to a long life.

鈥淭hat鈥檚 what everybody asks me and I think it鈥檚 just damn good luck,鈥� said Jay, at her 105th birthday party. 鈥淏ut really, the secret is to stay active and stay interested.鈥�

Hobbies are a great way to stay active, and a look around Jay鈥檚 home shows she practises what she preaches. Original paintings line the walls. A completed jigsaw puzzle graced a table in the kitchen. And hummingbirds were buzzing around the plants on the balcony.

Jay has been in the Comox Valley for the past 22 years. She emigrated to Canada, from England, in 1957.

Her children Lindsey, Ed, Janet and Bill were all on hand with their spouses for the party. Lindsay and Janet came in from Ontario. Ed and Bill live in Comox and Campbell River, respectively.

鈥淪he has always been a doer and a goer,鈥� said Lindsey. 鈥淭hat鈥檚 her real secret.鈥�

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