Margaret Tricker is an amazing woman at age 78 and is the devoted memorial secretary at PALS. She is full of life, has a giant sense of humour and is focused on helping others.

She has been on the management committee of PALS since 1983, is currently a director of PALS and serves on various committees with PALS.

Mrs. Tricker was born in Greenwich Village, New York and lived there until she was about four years old. Her earliest memories begin about that time and she recalls walking around Washington Square Park admiring the fountain with her father.

From the early age of four she was thinking about a career in health which created a bit of trouble for her. She and a young playmate, Lawrence, decided to play doctor one day and she was caught taking his pants down behind a store counter! Mrs. Tricker says she has learned the most about life since her years with PALS. She describes herself as loyal, honest, having a good sense of humour, and is caring. She feels she copes well during a crisis. She added that she tends to be a worry wart and a terrible procrastinator but when she gets down to do a task she focuses well until it is finished.

"I only consider myself a senior when I cash my pension cheque. I don't feel old and I don't feel that much different than I did many decades ago. A lot of us older people feel this way.'' she cheerfully explained.

When she turned 70 and 75 she celebrated with family from abroad and good friends and has wonderful memories of those happy occasions.

Her recipe for health and happiness is being open to the joy of living and loving. In the next decade she sees herself `alive' and hopes to be even better than today.

"I have a goal to reach my 100th birthday. After all, I'm only in my last quarter,'' she said laughingly.

As she reflected on her life she acknowledge that she had a wonderful mentor, her best friend, Kay.

"Kay was the closest friend of my youth and helped me when I was ill during my late teens and early twenties. She gave me good advice and guided me and she was very kind, sensitive and caring. Unfortunately she died at many years ago,'' Mrs. Tricker advised.

One of the people she admires the most today is her good friend, Ann Smith Gordon.

"Why? Ann is multi-talented and can do everything. She is very capable and has a terrific personality and she is extremely thoughtful and caring. She is great with our patients and is happy to visit them and give of herself.

"She has the ability to communicate with everyone from royalty on down.'' Mrs. Tricker describes her lifestyle as healthy and stated that she has never smoked. She feels she is blessed with good health and is very appreciative to her doctors who look after her.

"I love good food and wine and I try to keep moving to stay fit enough for traveling. I don't work out or do any of those intelligent things. I keep my mind active reading and doing crossword puzzles in my spare time,'' she said.

She enjoys travel to far away places such as China, Egypt, East Africa, Nepal, Russia, London, Europe and the United States. She could hike down a remote mountain trail and climb up on a elephant's back in the woods, if required, and is still very fit.

"One of the most important things about life and getting older is everyone's ability to learn something. I am learning all the time. Maybe when I get old I will be smarter,'' she concluded with a gracious smile.

Margaret Tricker, age 78, is full of vitality, keeps everyone laughing with her quick wit and is devoted to helping PALS.