On Saturday May 8, 2016 seventy members of the Oak Bay Lawn Bowling Club were present for tea and birthday cake, to celebrate the 99th birthday of the club’s oldest member, Shirley Tucker.

Shirley was born in Saskatchewan, and moved to Victoria when she was two years old. She attended Sir James Douglas Elementary School, and Victoria High School, and went on to attend Victoria College when it was located at Craigdarroch Castle. She received degrees from both the University of Washington, and Columbia University in New York.

She lived and worked in the USA for many years, and even became an American citizen in 1955. After her retirement from teaching in 1981, Shirley returned to live in Victoria, and joined the Oak Bay Lawn Bowling Club in 1984.

Shirley has been a member of the club for the past 32 years. Although she continued to bowl into her 90’s, she no longer bowls, but does play bridge at the club on a weekly basis. She feels her membership at the club has provided her with many friendships, as well as many worthwhile social and recreational opportunities. Shirley continues to live in her own home in Oak Bay.

Reporting by Marcia Thorneycroft