Lessons to live by

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This article was published 30/07/2017 (3234 days ago), so information in it may no longer be current.

Isabella Dryden isn’t one to put her feet up.

The St. Vital resident is set to turn 100 on Oct. 14, and she was honoured with an early birthday party on July 24 at Kum Koon Garden restaurant in Winnipeg’s Exchange District, which was hosted and sponsored by the restaurant’s owners, Geoffrey and Louisa Young, and their daughter, Michelle Miller.

Mayor Brian Bowman was also on hand to present Dryden with a community service award from the City of Winnipeg honouring her 80 years as an educator and volunteer.

Dryden currently volunteers four days a week as a computer teacher at Creative Retirement Manitoba and the Winnipeg Chinese Cultural and Community Centre. And having just completed another season of teaching, Dryden is planning on returning to the classroom in September.

“I have agreed to go back to teaching, if my health remains good, in September,” Dryden told The Lance at the party.

Born on a farm near Virden, Man. in 1917, Dryden’s teaching career began in a rural Manitoba schoolhouse in 1937 and her extensive resume includes spells as a Grade 5 teacher in the Virden public school system and a business education teacher at Virden Collegiate, as well as serving as an adjunct instructor at the University of Manitoba and Red River College in the 1970s.

She developed a passion for computers through her business education and now as a dedicated volunteer, Dryden continues to inspire others with her active lifestyle and her generosity. In light of her upcoming landmark birthday, Dryden has declined all gifts and asked that donations be made to the Winnipeg Chinese Cultural and Community Centre for a new technology for seniors program and an award in her name.

Humbled by her latest award and the affection she received at her party, Dryden is proud to have taught for so many decades and to have made her mark in the hearts and minds of so many.

“I’m quite honoured and overwhelmed to receive this,” Dryden said.

“It doesn’t matter who you are, you have be cognizant of the community in which you live, so you’re able to give back to it and make it a better place for others to enjoy. I think teaching is a very important calling, as it helps to enrich the lives of young people, and some older ones, too.”

When asked about almost reaching the milestone of 100, Dryden was happy to share the secret of her success.

“One has to continue to be physically active, mentally active and spiritually active. I love to garden and like to volunteer in the complex where I live. I enjoy reading, so I volunteer in the library there. It’s important to keep these three main facilities in one’s life,” she said.

Geoffrey Young, the owner of Kum Koon Garden, hailed Dryden’s contribution to the community.

“In our Chinese culture, we are taught to respect our elders, and Isabella’s service and instruction have been invaluable,” Young said.

“She’s such a wonderful lady. She stays active, regardless of her age, and has given back to the community for so many years. She doesn’t get paid for her volunteer work, so it’s really an unselfish gift to the community. We all have such great respect for Isabella.” 

simon.fuller@canstarnews.com