Edna Davidson turned 104

By Lethbridge Herald on January 5, 2026.

HERALD PHOTO BY JOE MANIO Surrounded by family, Edna Davidson celebrated her 104th birthday at Legacy Lodge Sunday.

Joe Manio

Local Journalism Initiative Reporter- Lethbridge Herald

Edna Davidson has seen more than a century of winters, witnessed the rise of planes, phones, and the internet and celebrated 104 birthdays—and on Saturday January 3, she did it again. On Sunday, nine family members joined Davidson for a cozy birthday party at Legacy Lodge Sunday where she has resided for the past five years.

Lethbridge Chief of Police Shahin Mehdizadeh paid a surprise visit to Davidson, to greet congratulate her on another milestone birthday, and present her with a certificate of her achievement and a special coin from the Lethbridge Police Service (LPS)

“It’s just that pleasure for me to be part of these events because to be actually in the presence of such people who bring so much history and wisdom to our community,” says Mehdizadeh. “And our city is always an honour, and I’m glad people actually invite me to be part of the moment.”

Having lived through both the Great Depression and the Second World War, Davidson is a member of what journalist Tom Brokaw called “the Greatest Generation” who have reached centenarian status (100 years or older). They are widely considered national treasures and are especially cherished for their unique life experiences, resilience, and contributions to society.

An example of this generation would be Second World War veterans like the American survivors of the Japanese attack on Pearl Harbor in Hawaii on Dec. 7, 1941 which precipitated America’s entry into the Second World War. According to official records only twelve of them remain.

Centenarians are widely regarded as “living historical treasures” because they offer firsthand accounts and personal perspectives on a century of history unfiltered through third-party interpretations. Their collective experiences serve as a direct link to the past, providing invaluable wisdom and context for younger generations.

“She’s lived through many things (the history of which) have been lost, and she’s actually still here to tell those stories,” says Chief Mehdizadeh. 

Born in 1922 in Saskatchewan, Davidson grew up during the Roaring Twenties and the Great Depression; lived through the Second World War; and witnessed the rise of radio, cinema, and early automobiles.

In the post-war years, she saw the dawn of television, commercial aviation, the space race, and major social changes including civil rights movements and cultural revolutions.

From the 1980s onward, Davidson experienced the digital revolution, the Internet, smartphones, and global connectivity; as well as major events like the end of the Cold War, 9/11 and climate change challenges. 

By 2025, she had witnessed humanity technologically advance over a century from horse-drawn carriages for both farming and transportation to Mars rovers and artificial intelligence.

Davidson was born in Guernsey in the heart of Saskatchewan on January 3, 1922. Her father was a farmer and in 1944, she married a farmer herself and had one child, Joyce in 1949. Davidson has two grandchildren and four great-grandchildren. She moved to Lethbridge during her 80s. 

“She loves to crochet and do other crafts,” says daughter Joyce Furukawa. “Although her short-term memory has declined, she still remembers things from far-back.”

Davidson says she has no “secrets” to her longevity (outside of “good genetics”) and when asked if she had any advice for younger generations she couldn’t think of anything. 

“I don’t know…they wouldn’t do it anyway,” says Davidson.

At 104 years Davidson has witnessed nearly a century of history—but Sunday was all about the present: laughter, love, and a birthday party with family. Her life is a living bridge across generations, a reminder that while the world changes, the joy of celebrating with those who matter most never goes out of style.