The lichen-covered monumental inscription states that Mary McEwen was aged 105 years. All of the inscription is no longer there. However, the monumental inscription was published by the Ottawa branch of the Ontario Genealogical Society in 1986. According to the newspaper death notice, Mary died in her 105th year.
JAMES McEWEN
DIED JAN. 2, 1913
Aged 78 Yrs.
HIS WIFE
MARY McEWEN
DIED MAR. 18, 1917
Aged 105 Yrs.
The text below is taken from
The Almonte Gazette newspaper, 23 March 1917, page 10.
Died in Her One Hundred and Fifth Year.
It may be safely said that Mrs. Mary McEwen, who passed away on Sunday last, was the oldest resident in this part of the country. Mrs. Jas. McEwen (or "Mary" as she was familiarly known), was born in Dungannon, County Tyrone, Ireland, in April, 1812, and was consequently in her 105th year. Up till a couple of years ago she could walk about, and did not even wear spectacles. Her hearing at that time was not very good, but not to be wondered at, and was at that time the only sign that age was telling upon her facilities.
She could relate many interesting episodes of her life both here and in the Old Land. Her mother's name was Margaret Wylie, and her father's Alex. Armstrong. She attended school at Dungannon for a short time, but did not learn much beyond the singing of hymns. She was the oldest of a family of seven children, and was the only surviving member. She was married about sixty years ago in Primroy, Ireland, to James McEwen, and over forty years ago they arrived in Canada, and came to Almonte. For the first fortnight in Almonte the couple and their son, James, lived with the late Mr. and Mrs. Robt. Edmonds, and then her husband obtained work as a stonemason's assistant with Mr. T. R. White, and they rented a little house for one dollar a month and there the old couple lived continuously until a few years ago, when Mr. McEwen suddenly passed away while sitting by the stove. Since that time Mrs. McEwen has lived with her son.
About six years ago while out feeding her hens, she slipped and fractured her left limb. She was taken to the hospital and for several months her life was despaired of. But, as she herself said, she "fooled them all" by getting better, and could walk about quite smartly by the aid of one crutch. Mrs. McEwen was a great English Church woman, and had been a member of St. Paul's church for many years. Nothing pleased her so much as when "the minister" called to see her. During the past summer of 1915 her son was away at Quebec, working for Mr. Frank Munro, contractor, and Mary made her home with Mrs. F. Coulter while he was away, and was one of the brightest and cheeriest members of the household. She was quite contented to lived as long as she could, but thought it very strange that so many younger and more useful people were called away while she was left.
The funeral took place on Tuesday of this week to St. Paul's church and cemetery.