This 100-year-old is still taking classes at McGill University
Most students come to McGill University in their 20s to get an education.
But not Miriam Tees. She was born in the '20s and just celebrated her 100th birthday.
"I was born on February 24, 1923," says Tees. "It's a pretty big one, 100."
Marking a centennial hasn't stopped Tees from wearing an Apple Watch, continuing to drive her car—she has her eyes checked regularly—or continuing to further her education.
Tees has taken many courses at McGill over the years to satisfy her many interests and curiosities.
"I've taken history courses and literature courses. I took one on the sonnet. Whatever happened to look interesting," she chuckles.
Tees grew up in Westmount, and as a child, she was free to roam and explore.
She got her driver's licence at 17 but never married or had children. In part, she says, because there weren't enough men to go around.
Miriam Tees got her driver's licence at 17 and continues to drive at age 100. (Supplied photo)
"You know a lot of men my age died in the war, so we lost a lot of people that might have married me, perhaps," she says.
Tees made a life for herself as a secretary and librarian. Her love of books gave her not only a career and many friends but also kept her curious.
A curiosity she continues to feed at age 100 by attending classes at McGill's Community for Lifelong Learning (MCLL).
This term, she's taking jazz. Tees has even led some classes, such as music courses.
"I moderated music because I was always interested in music all my life," she says.
Miriam Tees attends her jazz class at McGill’s Community for Lifelong Learning. (Supplied photo)The dean of continuing studies at McGill, Carola Weil, says while Tees is one of about 1000 senior learners who moderate and attend classes at the centre, she is not the oldest.
"Our oldest student is 101," says Weil. "It is tremendously inspiring. They remind me that at my age of 60-something, I'm still a youngster, and I have so much more to learn."
Jazz class moderator Tony Wait says the school keeps people connected and feeling young at heart.
"The whole focus is on lifelong learning," says Wait. "We don't want to have people feel that if they reach the age of 65, they should stop learning and be curious about life. The fact that they can come down here in a very informal setting, make friends, talk to friends, learn in a very unforced relaxed way, it's a great boon to health."
Tees wholeheartedly agrees and is living proof that you are never too old to learn.
CTVNews.ca Top Stories
NEW You might live to be 100 years old. But will you be able to afford it?
Retirement has historically lasted about two decades, but for some Canadians it is now extending to twice that amount of time as more live well into their 90s and beyond. That's making some rethink their investments, savings, expenses and when to retire.
NEW Unknown First World War soldier who died in battle in France to be honoured in Newfoundland and Labrador
Millions are celebrating Canada’s 157th birthday this year – as they do every year - with fireworks, food and family. In Newfoundland, it is a day of mourning for one of the bloodiest battles of the First World War.
Neighbour on the hook for $3,675 in damages due to 'nuisance cedar': B.C. tribunal
A B.C. man who reneged on a deal to split the cost of removing a tree with his next-door neighbour is now on the hook for the whole amount, B.C.’s civil resolution has ruled.
Deal reached in WestJet mechanics' strike, but travel disruptions still expected
WestJet has reached a deal with its mechanics to end a strike that had disrupted the travel plans of tens of thousands of travellers over the Canada Day long weekend.
Trump ally Steve Bannon will report to federal prison to serve 4-month sentence on contempt charges
Longtime Trump ally Steve Bannon is scheduled to report to a federal prison in Connecticut on Monday to serve a four-month sentence on contempt charges for defying a subpoena in the congressional investigation into the U.S. Capitol attack.
NEW How to exercise when it's too hot outside
How hot is too hot for exercising outdoors? Is it safe to exercise outside at some times of the day? Should younger or older people take more precautions in the heat?
Israel releases director of hospital it says was used as a Hamas base. He alleges abuse in custody
Israel released the director of Gaza's main hospital on Monday after holding him for seven months without charge or trial over allegations the facility had been used as a Hamas command center. He said he and other detainees were held under harsh conditions and tortured.
B.C.'s Michael J. Fox joins Coldplay on stage at Glastonbury Festival
A crowd of around 100,000 people were treated to a surprise appearance from a B.C. star during Coldplay’s set at Glastonbury Festival in England this weekend.
A study identified 6 types of depression. Here's why that matters
Scientists may be a step closer to that reality, thanks to new research that has identified six subtypes — or 'biotypes' — of major depression via brain imaging combined with machine learning.