Carole Fawcett
Pat Russell – 100 years old.
She was born in Belfast, Northern Ireland on April 10, 1924. She experienced major trauma in her life when her father died when she was 12 and the next year her home was reduced to rubble when it was bombed at the beginning of the Second World War.
She ended up working during the day and went to school at night. She had very responsible jobs and then she applied to an ad she saw for the Control Commission for Germany. She was hired and then sent to Bletchley in England to be processed and learn German. She was then assigned to the British Intelligence Branch, where she met my father.
They were the first British couple to be married in the area and then they were assigned to work as a couple, working together in many different areas of intelligence. They immigrated to Canada in 1951 and yet another journey began.
When asked what the secret to living a long life was, she says “Everything in moderation, trying to stay fit and eating healthy.” She looks at the positive side of life at every opportunity.
Carole Fawcett is a freelance writer and retired counsellor. Reach her at carolef@shaw.ca.
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