A Tribute to a Century of Life -
Seeking Centenarians for a Special Photography project
A century of life is a journey filled with love, laughter, resilience, and change. Every wrinkle tells a story, every memory is a piece of history, and every photograph holds a lifetime of moments.
I am creating a heartfelt photography project to honour those who have reached 100 years and beyond. Through a special portrait session, I will capture not just the passage of time, but the spirit that remains unchanged.
Accompanying these portraits will be a brief biography, sharing their experiences, dreams, and the moments that shaped them. This is more than just a photo; it's a celebration of a life well-lived.
Do you know a centenarian with a story to tell?
I would love to meet them, hear their wisdom, and preserve their legacy for generations to come.
If you or someone you love would like to be a part of this tribute, please reach out.
Let's honour their journey, one photograph at a time!
Ed Hartwell
Ed was born in Edmonton, Alberta, on September 10, 1917. He married his beloved wife, Patricia, and they shared a wonderful 73 years of marriage. Together, they raised two children: a son, Jim, and a daughter, Anne. Over the years, their family grew to include four grandchildren: Hilary, Colleen, Chuck, and Steve.
Throughout his life, Ed has lived in various places, including Edmonton, North Vancouver, Salt Spring Island, and Campbell River. He worked at BC Equipment Company, where he built a successful career. His travels took him to beautiful destinations like Maui, California, and Nevada, exploring new places and creating lasting memories.
Ed's life has been filled with many highlights, including receiving awards for Salesmanship, playing the trumpet, camping with his family, and dancing. However, Ed is happiest when he’s spending time with his loved ones.
* photo was taken at age 106 *
Freda
Freda was born in Yorkton, Saskatchewan, on May 13, 1920. She married her husband, Les, and together they shared 50 wonderful years of marriage. Freda and Les has three children: a son, Mike, and two daughters, Faye and Jackie.
Freda took great joy in being a homemaker and in raising her children. Over the years, the family lived in various places, including the Northwest Territories, Alberta, and British Columbia.
Freda's greatest happiness comes from spending time with her family, especially when they visit. Her son, Mike, makes it a point to visit her every day, which always brings her immense joy.
* photo was taken at age 103 *
Inga
Inga was born on February 10, 1923, in Nyborg, Denmark. She is fluent in both English and Danish. In Denmark, Inga worked at her family’s store, where she gained valuable experience. She married her husband, Svend, and they enjoyed a long and happy marriage of 66 years. Together, they has two daughters, Suzy and Lisa.
Inga loved being a homemaker and dedicated herself to raising her children. Over the years, her family grew, and she now has five grandsons—Dane, Keegan, Aaron, Larson, and Rainer—and two granddaughters, Olivia and Zoe.
Inga's life has been filled with many special moments, including her love for baking, traveling, sailing, skiing, swimming, tennis, and badminton. She has a passion for adventure and has traveled to many beautiful places, including the USA, Alaska, Hawaii, Denmark, Italy, Spain, France, and Mexico.
Above all, Inga feels happiest when she is sitting in the sun, listening to music, and spending time with her family.
* photo was taken at age 100 *
Dorothy Esme Rombough
Esme was born in Wimbledon, England on August 21, 1923. She married her beloved husband, Hugh, and together they shared 72 wonderful years of marriage. Esme is the proud mother of two sons, Leslie (Ruth) and David (Debra), and the loving grandmother to her grandchildren: (Matthew[Paula], Bradley[Ashleigh], Stacey[David], Allison[Shane], Meghan and great-grandchildren: Riley, Finley, Macy, Miriam, Noah, Addie, Ellerie, Maisie, Sheri, Renee, Paige; great-great-grandchildren: Zane, Levi.
She served in the British Women's Airforce as a ground to air radio operator during WWII where she met Hugh (husband)- served in the RCAF as radio mechanic. Married in Wimbledon, England in September 1945.
Throughout her life, Esme dedicated many years as medical secretary in the health care industry in Quebec and Ontario. Her life journey has taken her across the globe, having lived in various places including Wimbledon, England, Darlingford, Manitoba, Charleswood, Manitoba, Brampton, Ontario, Ottawa, Pointe Claire P.Q., Dorwal P.Q., White Rock, BC, and Campbell River, BC. She has also had the pleasure of traveling to beautiful destinations like Hawaii, Florida, France, and Spain.
Some of the most memorable highlights of Esme’s life include the joy of her marriage, the birth of her two sons, and the arrival of her grandchildren and great-grandchildren. One special memory from her childhood was seeing the two princesses, an experience she always cherished.
Esme is happiest when surrounded by friends and family, especially when she has those delightful unexpected visits.
She is dedicated to her friends and family and always find the positive in every situation. Her caring nature, great sense of humor, and infectious laugh have made her beloved by those around her.
She finds great joy in participating in the various events and activities at Discovery Harbour, a community that brings her so much happiness.
* photo was taken at age 100 *
Rachel Shirley Tripney Freeman
We celebrate a woman whose life has touched hearts across generations. Rachel Shirley Tripney Freeman, born in the quiet countryside of Langley, BC, marks 100 incredible years—a full century of wisdom, strength, and love.
To know Shirley is to know the power of resilience wrapped in kindness. She was raised in a small farming community where her early joys were simple yet profound—feeding cats, befriending a cow who came to visit each day, and forming an unbreakable bond with her siblings, especially her twin brother. These moments shaped a woman who would carry love and loyalty through every stage of life.
Shirley met her beloved husband while attending UBC, and together they built a life grounded in mutual respect and deep companionship. One of her most cherished memories is the day he returned from the war—safe, whole, and home. Their love story was not just about romance, but about shared values, common ground, and the willingness to learn and grow with one another.
Her heart overflowed with pride for her family. A devoted mother, she often said the greatest joy in her later years came from seeing her children grown, thriving, and happy. Her gratitude for them is endless, and her legacy lives strongest in the generations she lovingly guided.
She was a woman ahead of her time—earning a university education to become a secretary, working with computers in an era when that was rare for women. She contributed quietly but powerfully to her community, knitting socks and scarves for those in need, and supporting causes close to her heart.
Shirley witnessed a world transformed. From a time when women had few rights to now, where their voices are heard—she lived through change, and stood as a reminder that dignity, courage, and compassion never go out of style. “Don’t get depressed—work through it,” she would say, echoing the resilience that shaped her entire life.
If asked the secret to living 100 years, she’d tell you, “Be yourself, and respect each other.”
If asked for advice, she’d urge us to “take each day as it comes, and stand by one another.”
She wishes to be remembered not only for her strength or happy family—but, with a twinkle in her eye, she’d add, “I always had good curly hair, and I was proud of it.”
To her children, grandchildren, and all who’ve had the joy of knowing her—Shirley is a pillar, a gentle force, and a reminder that love, laughter, and legacy are the true measures of a life well lived.
Your journey is a gift. Your story, a treasure.
Your life, a legacy that will live on in every heart you’ve touched.
* photo was taken at age 100 *
Donald Dominick Murphy
A Century of Strength, Simplicity, and Sincerity
Today, we gather in admiration and gratitude to celebrate the extraordinary 100-year journey of Donald Dominick Murphy, born on August 2, 1925, in Cork City, Ireland. His life story is one of humility, hard work, and quiet wisdom—a testament to the strength of character that has carried him through a century of profound change.
From milking cows in a farm community as a young boy to working at the Steel Company of Canada, Don's life has been grounded in perseverance and practicality. His memories of getting squirted with milk and helping on the farm paint a picture of simpler times filled with hard-earned lessons.
Don never married—he chose instead to see the world. Independent and thoughtful, he walked his own path, embracing life with curiosity and resolve. Though he never had a spouse, he found purpose in supporting others, sending money home to help his father and contributing to the growth of his community from afar.
He takes pride not in material things, but in the values he lived by: managing his finances fearlessly, staying true to the Five Principles, and remaining grounded through times of uncertainty. His reflections are refreshingly honest—when asked about the secret to living 100 years, he simply replies, “None. Too many different factors.” His message to the next generation? “They’ll have to figure that one out for themselves.”
Don reminds us that life doesn’t need to be loud to be meaningful. He enjoys getting mail, going out with friends Fran and Rhonda, and is most grateful for one simple fact: that he’s alive. “I could have been scripted into the army and been killed,” he says—a poignant reflection on the precious gift of life.
Though he claims it “doesn’t matter” how he’s remembered, those who know his story will never forget the candid wit, strength, and quiet legacy he leaves behind. He is a man who weathered the storms of life with grit, humility, and grace.
As we celebrate 100 remarkable years of Don Murphy, we honor a life lived not for recognition, but with sincerity. His journey reminds us all to be careful with our money, trust with caution, live by our principles, and never stop exploring the world around us.
Your century of wisdom is a gift to us all.
* photo was taken at age 100 *