Living her dreams at 95

It’s never too late to try something new, and Jean Tarnick is living proof.

At 95 years old, the Altona resident fulfilled one of her lifelong dreams last week by attending her very first football game.

A passionate Winnipeg Blue Bombers fan for years, Jean has always admired linebacker Adam Bighill and defensive end Willie Jefferson. While her late husband Michael didn’t share her passion for the game, he supported her enthusiasm for the team.

“They’re a big part of being a Manitoban. You’ve got to cheer for your team,” Jean says.

She was already thrilled when her granddaughter Stephanie Doerksen arranged for Jefferson to send her a birthday video for her 94th birthday. “He thanked me for being a fan, and there I was, crying my eyes out. But I never imagined I’d get to go to an actual game.”

So, when her children surprised her with tickets to see her beloved Bombers at the Winnipeg stadium, she was ready.

“In the video, Jefferson said, ‘You have to get to a game, Jean, we’ll make it worth your while.’ So, this year, we made it our goal to get her there,” explains her daughter Michelle Doerksen. Michelle planned the outing around a trip to the city for a doctor’s appointment, canceling her mom’s evening homecare visit to keep the surprise intact. When she revealed the real reason for the trip, Jean was ecstatic.

The stadium’s wheelchair-accessible seating made it comfortable for her to enjoy the event, and they even taped a sign on the rails announcing it was her first Bombers game. “The cameramen focused on her during the second half, and she appeared on the Jumbotron several times. Buzz and Boomer took pictures with her, and a CFL blogger interviewed her. She became a bit of a celebrity that night,” Michelle recalls.

“I couldn’t believe how many people came up to me, even before the game started. They all wanted pictures with me! It was amazing. I’m no celebrity, but I sure felt like one,” Jean says, laughing.

“I rang a cowbell and got thrown up on the screen. One man came up to congratulate me and later returned to check how I was doing. I told him, ‘I’m loving the game!’”

Watching the game was thrilling, especially during the final moments. “We were down by a point, and I wasn’t just chewing my fingernails, I was chewing my fingers!” she recalls. “With 40 seconds left, we wondered what would happen. Then, in three plays, they scored a touchdown. We won! Oh, the racket – and I was waving my cowbell. It was amazing.”

This isn’t Jean’s only recent adventure. At Altona’s summer kickoff two years ago, her daughter convinced her to ride the Ferris wheel for the first time in over 50 years. “As a young girl, I worked at the Red River Exhibition, where I ran the ticket booth and rode all the midway rides for free. They knew I wasn’t scared of the rides,” she says with a grin.

While life hasn’t been without challenges – her husband’s dementia and passing, moving to an assisted living facility – Jean remains resilient. “Moving to the Gardens on Tenth was the best decision. There’s great care, activities, entertainment, and good food. Never a dull moment,” she shares. Meanwhile, her family has been a constant support.

“I feel very cherished by my family. They’re all so good to me. I never know what they’re going to do next.”

Since her stroke last March and the months of recovery that followed, they’ve learned to make the most of every moment. “Keep making memories. That’s the key. I’m slowing down, but I’m not going to stop. I’m doing okay. I avoid falls as much as I can. In the meantime, I can still have fun.”

At her granddaughter Stephanie’s wedding a few weeks ago, Jean was even asked to be a flower girl. “I didn’t want to take my walker, so my daughter walked me down. I cried four or five times that day,” she says, recalling the emotional moment when, instead of tossing the bouquet, the bride handed it to her.

Now, the family is planning another special trip – to Jean’s hometown of Belmont, MB.

“I know she’d love to go back and see the place where she grew up,” says Michelle. “We just want to make the most of the time we still have with her. Most people don’t live to be 95, and we don’t take a minute with her for granted.”

When asked what’s next on her bucket list, Jean simply replies, “I’m 95, so let’s just do it!”

Her advice for others? “Keep dreaming. You can do it. Nothing is impossible. It’s good to become like children and just enjoy what you have now.”