Every day is International Women’s Day for Eston’s Shelagh Vance

By Joan Janzen

ESTON—Since March 8 is International Women’s Day, it seems appropriate to recognize and celebrate the achievements of Eston’s long-time resident, Shelagh Vance. The 97-year-old was born on August 7, 1927, in Scotland and vividly recalls the WWII era.

“I remember the first time we heard the sirens, about 1940. We were outside, and my brother recognized it was a German plane, and all of a sudden, they bombed us,” she recalled.

At the age of 97 years, Shelagh Vance enjoys life to the fullest, along with her 8-year-old dog Rambo who she rescued as a pup. Photo (submitted by Shelagh)

Shelagh Vance of Eston holds a photo of herself as a child growing up in Scotland and a photo of herself when she opened a flower shop in Eston. Photo (by Joan Janzen)

Because of the dangerous circumstances, Shelagh was evacuated to northern Scotland, where she lived with a foster family. “I didn’t want to go, but they sent us out with a gas mask and a box of emergency rations, not knowing where we were going. It was bad,” she recalled.

She didn’t see her parents for four years, until being reunited at the age of 16. “I was shy about reuniting with them,” she added.

Following high school, she attended Edinburgh University, after which she worked as a lab tech for eight years. Just prior to her thirtieth birthday, she accompanied her parents to Saskatoon, Canada, to visit her older brother, who was in the Air Force. It was an impulsive decision, but Shelagh decided to stay. “I loved the sunshine, and I never went back,” she stated.

She spent the next seven years employed at the University of Saskatoon in the Department of Bacteriology, but she hated living in the city. This is why she applied for a job in Eston, where she worked as a lab technician for three years.

At that time Shelagh underwent a series of business ventures beginning with her first business, the Flower & Garden Centre. “I decided it was about time Eston had a flower shop,” she explained. Several years later she sold the business and “went on my way”, she said.

It wasn’t long before she opened the Beauty Hall “for the woman who cares,” Shelagh added. “It was a business opportunity which I knew nothing about.” However, she hired a hairstylist and managed the business for a couple of years before selling the equipment.

She was always willing to try something new, so it wasn’t surprising for Shelagh to work at the Prairie Palace restaurant. “I was a waitress, worked in the kitchen and did whatever. I was willing to try anything,” she said.

In 1972, her mom passed away, and Shelagh was in charge of selling her mother’s home in Saskatoon and moved the furniture to Eston, where it was put in storage. “I always liked a particular house, and all of a sudden, it came up for sale. When I inquired, the owner said, ‘For you, it’s $2,000’! I jumped at the chance,” she explained. “I got a job at a hardware store in Eston, and paid off my house in a year.”

Because she always loved working outdoors, Shelagh began painting houses, buildings, and oil tanks and continued to do so for fifteen years. “It was 1990, and I was painting a farmhouse on August 28, and I was thinking I had to find something to do for winter,” she said. Just then, she received a phone call informing her that SARCAN was opening in Eston.

“I started working at SARCAN in 1990 and I’m still with them. I do the books every month; they won’t let me quit. I’ve been with them for 35 years.”

However, one thing led to another, which wasn’t surprising for Shelagh. She purchased a ride-on tractor for her yard. “It’s named Putt Putt,” she explained. People saw me cut my grass and asked me to cut grass for them, and it grew and grew.” After acquiring three tractors and a rototiller, the 97-year-old said, “I still do commercial and private cutting. That’s what I do all summer long, and I love it.”

She had a short interruption in 2015 when she had her hip replaced. “I got the call for my surgery and said I can’t go; I’ve got grass to cut. So, I had surgery on December 31. No more pain,” she smiled.

Shelagh was always busy, but she still had time to enjoy curling with friends. “I curled at Madison and Snipe Lake. Back in the day the ice would begin to melt while they curled.”

She has also been a member of Communities In Bloom for the past 25 years. “I’m not as active, but I keep the grass cut,” she said.

As a woman who has made valuable contributions to her community for many years, Shelagh advises the secret is to just keep going. “I always find something that keeps me going.”

March 8 is designated as International Women’s Day, but every day is International Women’s Day for Shelagh, who continues to make valuable contributions to her community.

And if anyone is looking for a mom or gramma figure in their life, Shelagh said, “I’m up for adoption.” She has been a mom and gramma to many in the community of Eston.