It was an exciting time for a local senior whose wish to drive an electric car was fulfilled last Friday. Eunice Gulbraa wanted to span the years from driving a Model T when young to an electric vehicle just two days shy of turning 94.

Eunice celebrated her birthday on Sunday. Her wish was fulfilled thanks to the help of several people who went out of their way to make a dream come true. The drive itself was easily accomplished as she still operates her own vehicle while residing at Vialta Lodge.

“I’ve never been a nervous driver,” she said, speaking of the big event Friday morning. Her own vehicle is handy for her to drive around, attend events, or visit the farm.

And those driving days began as a girl behind the wheel of her brother’s Model-T. From then on, Eunice has driven many different kinds of vehicles including cars, tractors, combines, three-ton trucks, and more.

How she got to drive this latest type of vehicle, an electric car, was thanks to the help of a shuttle bus driver and an obliging Wainwright couple.

Kerri Davis has been driving the seniors shuttle bus for some 10 years now, with Eunice often on board.

“It’s pretty cool the vehicles she’s driven,” said Kerri, who jumped at the chance to help Eunice, who she thought was only in her 80s.

But she leaped into action upon hearing Eunice say: “Before I say goodbye, I want to drive one of those electric cars.”

Kerri put the message on Facebook asking if anyone could help Eunice fulfill her wish, and Sara and Shane Mascarin stepped up. Sara, a nurse from Wainwright, had purchased a Chevy Bolt EV in the summer after her gas car was wrecked in an accident with a deer. It was agreed the Mascarins would come on Friday to make Eunice’s wish come true.

“There were tears in her eyes when I told her,” said Kerri. “She was super excited, too, because the electric vehicle is the same colour as her own car, blue.”

Friday morning before the event took place, Eunice couldn’t believe how many people knew about her adventure.

“It’s turning into something bigger than I expected,” she said. She explained that the idea came to her the day of the grand opening of the new Irma School last year. Having grown up there and raised her own family in the area, she was accustomed to attending local events in the community, and this was no exception.

“I parked beside the electric car plug-ins in the parking lot,” she said, thinking: “I hope someday I can see an electric car there or drive one myself.”

She added: “I don’t want to be showing off but everybody says to me, ‘Eunice this is something special. You’re a woman of 94 for one thing and you still drive, for another.’”

She heard that driving the electric car is similar to driving a golf cart with its two pedals, something else she has driven in her time.

“This is why I’m so excited by that,” she said, because “I don’t know. It’s going to be an interesting day with so many people wanting to fulfill the wish of this old senior.

“I come from longevity,” she said, and got her driving spirit naturally. She recalled how her father drove right up to the day before he died at 97.

“I think that’s why I had this drive,” she said. “My Dad always told me, ‘Keep trying, there’s nothing you can’t do.’”

Her son and daughter, Harold Gulbraa, who farms at Irma, and Lorraine Thirsk, who lives in Wetaskiwin, attended to see their mother fulfill her wish.

Neither were surprised that she was accomplishing this wish at her age, knowing her spirit very well.

When the Mascarin’s arrived, Eunice said: ”I’m so looking forward to the drive.” Sara sat in the passenger seat and showed Eunice how to operate it.

With Eunice behind the wheel, they pulled out of the drive and hit the streets of Viking to tour around. Eunice drove seamlessly. When they finally returned, it was learned that the two had driven north on Highway 36 with Eunice briefly going almost 100 km/hr.

When they pulled back into the parking lot, Eunice gave a thumbs up and said: “Mission accomplished.

“This was well worth it,” she said. “I’d go viral for this.”

“She drove it fast,” said Sara.

“Well, I wanted to see how fast it would go,” replied Eunice, adding the ride was smooth and the vehicle was not sluggish.

“It was very snappy around Viking and on the highway,” she said. “It’s got pep, it’s really quick. I felt like it was my little car…Wow, it does have a lot of pep.”

“I felt relaxed, I’m a relaxed driver.”

Once the trip was over, Eunice thanked Kerri and Sara with flowers, calling both of them “wonderful,” and adding: “Strangers are just friends you haven’t met before.

“This has been just terrific,” she said. “This is my birthday present from all of you.”

“Eunice’s wish came true and it was fantastic,” posted Kerri. “Eunice had a blast driving (the electric car). We thought she wasn’t coming back. She is an amazing woman. I was so excited that her day turned out so well. Thanks again Sara and Shane.”

Eunice says she will continue to drive her own vehicle, having passed the test and renewed her license for another two years.

She will enjoy taking friends around town, or taking a drive out to the farm at Irma and getting some fresh air. “So it’s days like that,” she said, that makes it worthwhile.
“Hopefully, I have a few years left…I’m still going, I’m not into sitting.”

Eunice had her 94th celebrated at the lodge. She later found out that there were a ‘ton’ of messages for her on social media congratulating her for the drive and for her birthday, too.

The news travelled far and fast, and she is still reeling from the kindness of all around her. “It’s going viral,” she said. “I became a popular old lady all at once.

“It was a weekend for Mom,” she said. “I got to drive my car and I got my birthday celebrated…Today, I’m pretty light.”

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Patricia Harcourt,
Editor