Oldest Doukhobor Dies at 108 Years

I have just learned that Molly Swetlikoff has died last Thursday 20th September. She was 108 years old.

Polly was a pioneer in many ways. She was recognized as the oldest of 192 persons in Saskatchewan's Three-Century Club. Her life began in the Caucasus region not far from where the Doukhobors burnt their firearms in 1895; her father was one of those who refused to serve in the army and was exiled to Siberia. She came to Canada with the original group in 1899 and settled on the prairies. Her trip to Siberia to visit her father in 1902 reads like a adventure of survival.

In fact, Polly was a survivor. She outlived most of her immediate family and then lived alone by herself in her own home until 101 years when she tripped on a rug in her home and broke her hip. She was hospitalized and 10 weeks later released and moved to a new home in Eaglestone Lodge in Kamsack.

Her ingredients for a long life was no secret. She lived close to the soil for many years, planted a generous garden every year, cooked much of her own food (using little meat, but lots of vegetables), and had a good attitude to life. When Russian artist Volodia Gubanov made a portrait of her in 1995, she looked at it and said, "Hah, you made me look too old."

She kept herself active almost right to the end. She climbed up the ladder to clean her eavestroughs [rain gutters] when she was 100. She did a lot of walking. She never had many modern conveniences, but did everything the hard way. She used to use the old-fashioned scrub board to wash her clothes and hand-clean her rugs. In her life she knitted hundreds of slippers, socks and mitts for her family and friends. And she had no need for eye-glasses.

My wife Kristina Kristova joins me in our condolences and deep respect to one who has made a valued contribution to her family, her friends, and the spirit of survival of pioneers the world over. May Molly Swetlikoff rest in peace.

Koozma J. Tarasoff

She would have been 109 in November. At her service the Yorkton TV station CKOS was on hand to do some interviews. Dr. Fred Strukoff officiated the service. Molly was buried in the Riverview Cemetary in Kamsack, Saskachewan.