Edith Rose, who marked her 102nd birthday on Dec. 30, came down to work a shift on the Cranbrook Health Care Auxiliary Information Desk at the East Kootenay Regional Hospital on Monday, Jan. 8.

Rose grew up on a farm near Sovereign, Saskatchewan. She graduated with a BSc in Chemistry from the University of Saskatchewan in the 1940s, and became Canada鈥檚 first female cereal chemist.

She worked for many years in the food and agriculture industries, as quality control for Quaker Oats and the Saskatchewan Wheat Pool. During the Second World War, she was involved in developing a higher protein wheat, intended for feeding soldiers.

Rose moved to Cranbrook in the 1950s. She joined the Health Care Auxiliary in 1984, and over the years worked at the Thrift Store, the gift store and the information desk at the hospital. She served as that organization鈥檚 president for three terms. She is the CHCA鈥檚 oldest living member.

鈥淪o many good memories,鈥� Rose said, on the occasion. 鈥淚 liked the times when we all got together for social events, like Christmas parties.鈥�

The CHCA is a Registered Charitable Organization run by volunteers. They raise funds at the Hospital Gift Shop, the Hospital Thrift Store on 8th, Ave. and the Tim Horton Smile Cookie Campaign to purchase very necessary equipment for the East Kootenay Regional Hospital and the Dr. F. W. Green Memorial Home.

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