Growing up in Fernie was a great experience. As a child I had freedom to roam around the north end of town where we lived. That included running to and from the golf course, climbing up, down and across the hill that is Ridgemont and going down to the Cribbin’ to sit on a large rock banking the river to dangle feet in the cool water of the Elk.

Margaret and Peggy Bella

The Cribbin’ was also host to numerous Saskatoon bushes so come late summer early fall my siblings and I would pick ice cream buckets of the plump, purple berries to bring home.

We often spent hot summer days walking along the tracks searching for tiny, wild strawberries to pop in our mouths. We balanced on top of the rails laughing when one fell off. We played kick the can and hide and seek and told each other ghost stories in the dusk of the evening.

Fernie was smaller then, there was no Ridgemont, no Mountain View, no Castle Mountain or Parkland Terrace.

There was Main town that included the “north end” and south end and there was the Annex and West Fernie.

Without a vehicle those areas of town seemed very far away so we hung around our neighbourhood that included the big soccer and ball fields where regular week end tournaments drew huge crowds of people, many from out of town.

The Bella Family

Everyone knew each other back then and if you didn’t know each other personally you definitely heard the names and knew of them. That was when mine managers like Prentice and Wilson, were the “big shots” of the town. When Mr. Minton, owner of the drugstore was someone important, and the Fiorillo, Guzzi, Minifies, Aiello, Quail, Colgur and Rahal names were known for businesses they owned. Groceries, dry goods, Women’s and Men’s clothing, shoes, dry cleaners and building supplies. Sometimes names were also well known for the work they did or the involvement they had in their churches.

For me one of those was the Bella name. John and Nellie Bella had a family of fourteen children and then also raised two of their grandchildren. Peggy and Rita Bella went to school during the same years I did with Peggy in my class and Rita a couple of grades higher.

Nurse Margaret

Rita and Peggy moved away as was customary after graduation because it was the only way to pursue a postsecondary education and so I lost contact.

I would hear snippets of info regarding Peggy who was a Navy Nurse and then worked for Boeing, we saw each other once when she attended a class reunion. Most recently I had heard that Peg was enjoying life on a 40 foot sailboat based in Fiji. Rita, no one seemed to know anything about except that she lived back east.

Soon with the passing of the Bella parents there was no one left from the family in Fernie. But the name always stood out in my mind so it was a pleasant surprise to discover Margaret Bella, third born of the 14 children had returned and now resided at Rocky Mountain Village. Last week Margaret celebrated her 100 birthday, sitting regal and looking lovely in a beautiful pink shirt and pearl necklace it’s difficult to believe that this stunning lady is indeed that number.

I commented that to a family member who said that Margaret had spent many years as a nurse in the Naval Forces and at age 75 to 85 continued piano lessons she had begun when younger.

Rita Bella Morris and Dorothy Latak

Her sister Delphine lives in Cranbrook and when Margaret decided to return to Fernie ten years ago the family noticed Margaret looking so frail that they could never have imagined that she would celebrate a 100th birthday. They said that they attribute her longevity to the great care she gets in the home and the wonderful people that work there.

A collage of photographs depicting Margaret and her siblings and family members was on display as well as a large wedding portrait of her mom Nellie and dad John.

The image is lovely showing a petite gorgeous Millie and a very handsome John, “he kept those elegant looks right to the end” commented a family friend.

I was happy to attend the celebration and catch up with Peggy and Rita whom I hadn’t seen for decades. It’s amazing how that amount of time slips away yet in conversation it seems only yesterday, how one can pick up a dialogue as if no time has passed at all.

It’s just as wonderful to see the continuation of generations of a family that once was a significant part of the fabric of this town and who although no longer here the second, third, and fourth generation still feel a strong sense of connection to. Happy 100th birthday Margaret, Congratulations, may you enjoy a most wonderful year.