A London woman who has used the LTC for decades got a wonderful surprise Friday, when friends and LTC employees gave her a 100th birthday party.
Maria Mills has been, according to the LTC, a "long and faithful customer of the ‘community bus' service."
On Friday morning at Cherryhill Mall, she was presented with balloons, gifts, and a cake to mark her birthday.
"I had no idea. I'm very grateful. I'm grateful for all the fuss and all the lovely things people are doing for me. I don't think I deserve it. I'm just an ordinary person having a birthday," said Mills.
Mills came to London about 70 years ago. She was born in England during the First World War and served as a nurse during the Second World War. Her husband passed away 55 years ago, leaving her to raise a son on her own. Her son died last year.
LTC driver Barbara Bennett organized the party. She met Mills six years ago.
"She's an amazing woman. She's been my inspiration," said Bennett. "She's a joy. She always smiles. You never see her down. She's one of those people that lifts you up every day. She's well liked on the community bus. She loves the drivers and she's very good to the drivers."
In addition to the cake and balloons, Mills also received LTC gift certificates, so she can continue to ride the community bus.
