By Mary Giuliano

Emma Marie White was born at home on October 13, 1915.

Emma’s father was a miner and the family lived in Michel where her father’s job was working with the horses that brought coal out of the mine.

Emma’s daughter Lois Halko said that at one time her grandparents had moved back to the Ukraine but her grandad made his way back to Canada at age 16, bringing some of his siblings back with him.

Emma was raised in a log house without running water or bathroom facilities although it did have electricity. She recalls enjoying playing with a doll purchased from the Eaton’s catalogue and cycling around the yard and skating. She said that back then children didn’t have toys like they do now; fun was made climbing hills, picking flowers and enjoying an ice cream cone when the wagon came around.

Emma attended school in Natal until Grade 8, which was the accepted norm at the time and at age 16 went to work as a waitress at the Michel and Alexandra Hotels.

She married John Chala in 1935 and they built their first home on the outskirts of Natal, also known as “Little Chicago.” Their two children, Lois and Allan, were born at home.

Emma loved fishing and picnics but family always mattered most. She was very pleased with the arrival of grandchildren, Jason, Jennifer and Mark and when they were older welcomed their spouses Karen, Cory and Stacy.

The highpoint of her life now is her great grandchildren; Madeline, Emma, Charlotte, John, Paul, Adam and Callie. Emma looks forward to their visits to Sparwood and in the past two months has travelled to Calgary and Lethbridge to visit with them.

Church and faith are also a big part of her life and until not too long ago she was still active with the Catholic Women’s League.

Her family says Emma was the ultimate homemaker. She cooked delicious meals, often entertaining friends and family over a homemade dinner. She later taught family members to make Ukrainian and Slovak favorites such as perogies and borscht. She loved to share recipes with others. She baked often, excelling in sweetbreads. She sewed clothing for herself and her daughter. She was an immaculate house cleaner although keeping a clean house in a coalmining town was a challenge, especially in the 1960s.

Emma, John and their children moved to Sparwood in 1969.

Through the many tributes paid to Emma during her 100th birthday celebration Oct. 13, it stood out that she has many great qualities, including being a peacekeeper, a helper, compassionate, loving social parties with friends and isn’t extravagant. She loves reading novels and recipe books and even now at 100 years of age keeps current with local, Canadian and world news.

And with the exception of moving to the Ukraine for five years with her family in the early 1920s has lived in this one community all of her life.

This amazing lady has seen many changes in her life but one thing has been constant in hers, her love of family, friends and community, her integrity and gratitude for life in general.

Congratulations Emma, Happy 100th birthday!

Lead image: Kootenay-Columbia MP (and Sparwood resident) David Wilks was on hand to present a certificate from the Prime Minister, congratulatory certificates also were sent by Premier Christy Clarke, the Governor General of Canada, Kootenay East MLA Bill Bennett and many other organizations. Also pictured with Emma are her daughter Lois Halko, who is a District of Sparwood Councillor, and City of Fernie Mayor Mary Giuliano. Photos courtesy Mary Giuliano

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