Herta Schenk, Since 1924 by Peri Hayes
Radiating energy as a centenarian, Herta Schenk reflects on her adventure-filled life: “My life is a long story,” she begins with a laugh. While Herta’s mother and father are Russian, she was raised in Poland alongside her sister and three brothers. Herta shares her background in remarkable detail. Recollecting on her favourite decade, she beams about her time spent in Polish school -- specifically at age 12. “With my friends, these are good memories for me.” Herta vividly remembers WWII: “My brother and father were civilian prisoners in the coal mines.” She also sorrowfully describes icy treks through deep snow which reached her knees. Herta speaks about the poverty that her family experienced during her upbringing, as well as the painful separation from her sister for an entire year before receiving a letter assuring her wellbeing. As the story goes, Herta’s sister had been picked up on the train and met with their aunt who was heading west: “They had been travelling for weeks, searching cabin to cabin to find each other.” Herta describes this union to be that of a miracle. Herta would proceed to marry a soldier; a German man who became stationed in Romania. Ultimately, Herta’s loved ones would leave Poland. In 1949, she moved to Canada and raised her family of four children. As Herta declares, “My life started when I came to Canada, for
safety and freedom.” In Parry Sound, Ontario, their family cottage was enjoyed with their children for a number of years. This is where, as Herta highlights, she fell in love with fishing. Around the time of her birthday in 2021, Herta moved into a local retirement home. Nearing 101 years of age, a typical day for Herta entails drinking tea and exercising. Impressively, she thoroughly looks forward to walking on a daily basis. Alternately — and demonstrating a healthy balance — Herta enthuses with a smile, “My favourite thing to do is nap!” One of Herta’s most heartfelt accomplishments regards the book that she wrote, encompassing her life. She created this project as a means to put these memorable moments of world and personal history to paper, representing a keepsake for her stories. Years later and at the retirement home in which she resides, Herta also wrote for their newsletter.
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