Hamilton woman survived 2 pandemics, WW II bombings and wants 106 birthday cards

It's not every day someone gets a visit from a troop of police horses to mark abirthday.

But it's also not every day someone turns 106.

For Ann Konkel, that was her Wednesday.

Now, the Hamilton womanwants 106 birthday cards to commemorate her annual celebration.

"She's so happy," said Konkel's daughter-in-law, Robin.

Annsat in her wheelchair outside St. Joseph's Healthcare Hamilton, where she was greeted by family, police horses, the local police chief andhospital workers whohavecared for her since early 2020.

A remarkable life

Born in 1915 in Rotterdam, the Netherlands,she survived the Spanish flu, which started in 1918,when she was three.

Ann also lived through the Second World War while Rotterdam was bombed by the Nazis. Her father died of starvation.

Her family said she met her future husband, Edward, during the war. He survived prisoner of war camps and concentration camps. Her family says heemerged a decorated member of the Polish resistance.

Ann and Edward married and moved to Hamilton in 1952. Her family said they lived in a rooming house, buying each room until they owned the whole lot. Annworked as a cleaning lady, while her husband worked at Stelco.

She eventuallyretrained and became an operating-room nurse at Henderson Hospital.

Her husband died in the 1990s, but she continued living in their home.

Ann's family saidthat, up until a few years ago,she was still volunteering with the Catholic Women's League and the Good Shepherd.

She was living on her own at home until she fell in early 2020.She has been in the hospital ever since, and Robin said Annwon't be able to leave.

"She went down to 85 pounds.They put her on a feeding tube ... but she's back up to 117 pounds and she's thriving. And they're so good to her in the hospital," Robin said.

Birthday cards will keep Konkel going

Since then, Annhas been well. She also received hertwo COVID-19 vaccine doses and had no side-effects, Robin said.

On Wednesday, Ann's friend of almost two decades, June Najbor, visited with roses.

"She's a good friend ... I come to see her when I can," said the 85-year-old and former president of the Catholic Women's League.

Last year, Annreceived more than 2,000 cards for her 105th birthday.

"The cards kept her going," Robin said. "We read them all to her ... she looks better this year than last year."

Chief Frank Bergen said the police service is eager to bring the horses and see the birthday girlagain next year.

Ann summed up her birthday in three words: "Grateful, very grateful."

Anyone wanting to send a birthday card to her can mail them to: P.O. Box 10066, Don Mills, Ont., M3C 0J9.