Vernon woman marks 106 years with stories of solo bicycle trips, mountain climbs and a Nerf gun
Vernon’s Ethel Dover is proof that a long life can still include surprises. At 106 years old, she divides her time between reading, telling stories and — to the delight of staff — testing her aim with a Nerf gun at Aspira Orchard Valley Retirement.
Dover’s longevity has been acknowledged locally in connection with National Centenarian Day, but her recollections range far beyond recent recognitions. Born in Winnipeg on April 8, 1920, she moved west at 21 and took a nearly week-long solo bicycle journey from Vernon to Vancouver along a partially finished highway — an expedition that, by her account, took considerable determination and stamina.
Within a few years of settling in British Columbia, Dover embraced outdoor adventure. At age 23 she joined the Vancouver Climbing Club and scaled the peaks known as The Lions on the North Shore, an ascent that predated many of the established hiking trails and climbing routes that exist today.
Her life in Vernon and in care at Orchard Valley has also included moments of community celebration. For her 105th birthday in 2025, staff put out a call for cards with a modest goal of reaching 105; the community answered far beyond expectations. Dover received 155 cards, and a 156th arrived attached to a bouquet of roses from B.C. Emergency Health Services — Ambulance, delivered by paramedic Jeff Moorhouse.
- Age: 106
- Birthplace: Winnipeg, April 8, 1920
- Residence: Aspira Orchard Valley Retirement residence, downtown Vernon
- Notable past feats: Vernon to Vancouver solo bicycle trip; climbed The Lions
- Community recognition: National Centenarian Day
“Make the most out of life. Have a quality life, cherish your friends and family, and always be kind.”
The message is simple, and it resonates with staff and neighbours who interact with Dover daily. Kim Magarvey, general manager at Orchard Valley, describes her as an avid reader with a sharp wit and a playful streak — hence the Nerf gun that has become a lighthearted hallmark of her daily routine at the residence.
Centenarians in context
Dover’s milestone fits into a broader demographic picture. According to globalissues.org, which compiled international centenarian counts, there are approximately 672,000 centenarians worldwide, with the vast majority living in more developed regions. Canada is listed at about 15,000 residents aged 100 and older.
| Country | Centenarians (approx.) |
|---|---|
| Japan | 126,000 |
| United States | 77,000 |
| China | 53,000 |
| India | 43,000 |
| France | 35,000 |
| Canada | 15,000 |
Within those numbers, women represent the vast majority of centenarians, a trend cited in the source data and visible in communities across the province.
For Vernon, residents such as Dover are more than a statistic. They are carriers of local memory — people who experienced the slow build of highways, the early culture of outdoor clubs, and the social shifts of nearly a century. Their presence touches municipal services, health-care planning and community programming geared to older adults.
Staff at Orchard Valley and neighbours who sent cards say the celebrations are as much for them as they are for Dover. A centenarian milestone prompts reflection across generations, a reminder of connections that outlast individual lifetimes.
As Vernon continues to grow and change — with an ageing population among the trends shaping service demand — local stories like Dover’s illustrate both the continuity of community and the small, everyday pleasures that give a long life its texture: books, friendships and the occasional Nerf duel.
“I hope I don’t ever need your services,” Dover told the paramedics who delivered her roses, accepting the sentiment with the wry humour those who know her have come to expect.
