Violet Oicle, right, who is 106 years old, visits with her younger sister, Ferne Edgecombe, 103, during their annual summer reunion at Andrews of Stratford on July 22. The sisters, who grew up in Dartmouth, N.S., make it a point to see each other each year. Photo by Vivian Ulinwa /The GuardianArticle contentViolet Oicle and Ferne Edgecombe try to see each other at least once every year.THIS CONTENT IS RESERVED FOR SUBSCRIBERS ONLY.Subscribe now to access this story and more:Unlimited access to the website and appExclusive access to premium content, newsletters and podcastsFull access to the e-Edition app, an electronic replica of the print edition that you can share, download and comment onEnjoy insights and behind-the-scenes analysis from our award-winning journalistsSupport local journalists and the next generation of journalistsSUBSCRIBE TO UNLOCK MORE ARTICLES.Subscribe or sign in to your account to continue your reading experience.Unlimited access to the website and appExclusive access to premium content, newsletters and podcastsFull access to the e-Edition app, an electronic replica of the print edition that you can share, download and comment onEnjoy insights and behind-the-scenes analysis from our award-winning journalistsSupport local journalists and the next generation of journalistsRegister to unlock more articles.Create an account or sign in to continue your reading experience.Access additional stories every monthShare your thoughts and join the conversation in our commenting communityGet email updates from your favourite authorsSign In or Create an AccountorArticle contentThis year, the reunion brought Oicle, 106, from Nova Scotia to Andrews of Stratford, where her 103-year-old sister lives.Article contentArticle contentOver lunch on Wednesday, the sisters reflected on more than a century of memories from swimming in Halifax Harbour as girls to travelling the world together as widows.Article contentArticle content“When you’re 106, you don’t know how many more years you have or days,” Oicle said. “It’s nice to get together, and it makes you appreciate the time that we spend together.”Article contentThe sisters frequently finished each other’s stories, corrected each other’s memories and laughed at recollections from decades ago.Article contentStaying activeArticle contentThe sisters grew up in Dartmouth, N.S., as two of six children.Article contentToday, they are the only surviving siblings after the death of their younger sister, Martha, last year at the age of 98.Article contentLooking back on their long lives, both sisters pointed to staying active as one of their secrets to a long life.Article content“Just keep going. Don’t give up,” Oicle said. “Because if you stop, you’ll never get going again.”Article contentEdgecombe agreed and she also said that eating well is also important, lots of fruits and vegetables.Article content Sisters Ferne Edgecombe, 103, left, and Violet Oicle, 106, share a smile during lunch at Andrews of Stratford on Wednesday. Oicle travelled from Nova Scotia for the sisters’ annual visit. Photo by Vivian Ulinwa /The GuardianArticle contentGrowing up, they spent their time swimming, skating and walking. Their family lived close to Halifax Harbour, where they would swim and dive when the tide was right.Article contentArticle contentOicle said she still enjoys canoeing and had been out on the water shortly before travelling to P.E.I.Article content“I can paddle all the way,” she said.Article contentWorking and travelling togetherArticle contentOicle and Edgecombe remained close even as they began working and raising their own families.Article contentOicle worked as a legal secretary for a law firm for eight years, while Edgecombe worked at a bank nearby. Their offices were about a block apart and they would have lunch together.Article contentLater in life, after both sisters became widows, they began travelling together. Their trips included visits to Jamaica, Hawaii, Venezuela and Mexico.Article contentOne boat excursion in Mexico remains a memorable part of their travels.Article contentOicle recalled sitting on the deck before the boat left and telling her sister how much she expected to enjoy the trip. Soon after departure, however, the water became rough and she became severely seasick.Article content Violet Oicle, who is 106 years old, enjoys lunch at Andrews of Stratford on July 22 during a visit with her 103-year-old sister, Ferne Edgecombe. Photo by Vivian Ulinwa /The GuardianArticle contentWhile Oicle returned to the hotel with other sick passengers, Edgecombe remained on the excursion.
‘Golden Girls’ celebrate more than a century of sisterhood during P.E.I. visit
