Justina Wiebe is 100 years young this summer.

When asked her secret to longevity, her daughter Doris Young lovingly jokes it takes "a certain amount of stubbornness."

Wiebe was never one to let age hold her back; she took up jogging in her 60's, and she only recently gave up cross country skiing. She regularly attends concerts, driving herself to the venue until age 95 (now she gets a ride) and lived on her farm until last year, at the age of 99.

"She's like a Timex watch, "takes a licking but keeps on ticking.'"

Born August 5, 1920, Wiebe grew up just north of Winkler in the village of Kronsgart. She quickly took a shining to choral music and would go on to become a prominent conductor and instructor.

Wiebe at age 17, with her first music festival trophy

Young notes Wiebe became very well known in the local choral community. Her Girls Choir at the Winkler Mennonite Brethren Church went on to win the same trophy every year till eventually the choral festival decided it should stay with her choir permanently.

All throughout the years, Young says her mom would constantly be stopped by former music students.

"What I heard from almost everyone was how encouraging she was... but she wasn't accepting of lower quality than what she thought the person could give," Young explains.

Wiebe's passion was greatly supported by her parents during a time when music wasn't a priority.

"In the 1930's a lot of people thought music was a frivolous thing to do, but her parents really supported her music," Young explains. Even though money was tight, her dad would regularly drive her to Winnipeg for lessons.

Wiebe showed her resilience early on, waiting three long, uncertain years during World War II while the man she was to marry was fighting in Europe. She would fight her own health battle later in life, beating cancer not once, but twice.

When her husband passed away almost two decades ago, the family was encouraged to see her maintain a positive attitude, "Mom said she was still here because God wanted her to be, which meant there was still more for her to do in this life."

Family say it was her faith in God that gave her peace during the most difficult times.

One of Wiebe's first choirs as conductor. Wiebe's Girls Choir went on to win the same trophy every year till eventually the choral festival decided it should stay with her choir permanentlyReflecting on her mother's century of life, Young says it's a reminder for everyone to live with faith, passion and joy.

And a healthy dose of music.

"Mom always says, 'You can't do anything about your age, just keep on going.'"

 

Wiebe's church family at WMBC celebrated her 100 milestone earlier this year with a special Sunday service