Remembering our past – Jessie Campbell

Times Contributor

 

Happy birthday to you, happy birthday to you, and many more.

Jessie Campbell was born in Glasgow, Scotland on April 17, 1910, which made her 102 years old earlier this week. She had two brothers – John and Jimmy. Her father died the same year she was born, while trying to save the life of his apprentice steeplejack. Her mother died when Jessie was 10 years old, leaving her brothers to look after her.

Jessie left school at age 13 to become a tailor, making suits for gentlemen. She married Peter Campbell in 1930, and they had two children – a son, Angus, born in 1940, who lives in Calgary, and a daughter, Lillian, who lives in Strathmore. After their marriage they moved to Renfrew, now a suburb of Glasgow, and joined the Salvation Army so that Peter could play with their band. Peter became an insurance agent for the Salvation Army.

Jessie has wonderful memories of the old days growing up in Scotland, when there was no TV, no cars, and no telephones. For entertainment they really enjoyed singing, and were blessed with having a piano and two organs in their living room. They joined the Baptist Church in Renfrew, and their week revolved around the church or the Salvation Army. Tuesday evening was Christian Endeavour, Friday was Band of Hope, Sunday’s included services in the morning and evening, and Sunday School in the afternoon.

She advises that there was no time to get into mischief!

Every Saturday they went into Glasgow on the tramcar, which was known as a shooglie, because it shook so much. This was later replaced by double decker buses. She remembers going to a multi-floor department store called Lewis’s, in the centre of Glasgow. It had an elevator with a male operator, who would announce the different items for each floor. 

On the fifth floor, ladies could have their hair permed at the hairdressers, but in those days the chemical used smelled like rotten eggs! And, on the top floor there was a tea room, which sold cream buns, scones, tea and lemonade!

Peter died in December 1958, at the age of 51. He enjoyed playing in the Salvation Army Band, and growing enough vegetables in his garden plot for his family, friends and neighbours.

Their son, Angus, emigrated to Edmonton in 1964, where he met and then married Chris, and this marriage has produced two daughters and two grand-daughters. 

Lillian married Hugh Driver in 1963, and they emigrated to Canada in 1976. They have two children, five grandchildren and one great-grandson.

As time went by, Jessie outlived all members of her immediate family and close friends, so in 1986 at the age of 76, she moved to Western Canada to be near her son and daughter. She lived with Lillian and Hugh until 2011, when she moved into Wheatland Lodge, where she continues to live in comfort, thanks to the staff who take care of her every need. She still has an active life and her favourite activities are sing along concerts and the ice cream socials.

Happy 102nd birthday Jessie, and many more.