The matriarch of a long line of Labrador leaders was celebrated in Happy Valley-Goose Bay yesterday.

Muriel Andersen of Makkovik turned 105 on Friday.

Andersen was born on Dunn’s Island in 1917, and as a child split fish and cooked for Newfoundland fishing crews working “on the Labrador.”

Andersen was married at the age of 21, and she and her husband Edgar had six children together—two of whom are current members of the Nunatsiavut Assembly. They include Wally Andersen—a former provincial MHA and the Mayor of Happy Valley-Goose Bay—and Tony Andersen.

Wally Andersen calls his mother a “remarkable lady.”

He was only seven when his father died and his youngest brother was only three. His father’s last wish was to make sure to “keep the boys together,” meaning don’t put them up for adoption, and Andersen says his mother pushed through and raised all six of her children on her own even though at times “she wanted to give up.”

Muriel Andersen is also the grandmother of Torngat Mountains MHA Lela Evans and Nunatsiavut Assembly member Thomas Evans.

Andersen has survived two world wars, two global pandemics and lived through the residential school system. She has 21 grandchildren, 37-great-grandchildren and 28 great-great grandchildren. She lives at the long-term care facility in Happy Valley-Goose Bay.

Wally Andersen says he treated his mom to a feed of seal and the family had a big supper at the Kin Centre in Happy Valley-Goose Bay.