Fall River Woman Reunites with Classmates After 75 Years

When Elizabeth Myers arrived at Urmston Primary School in Manchester, UK, on September 23, 2023, she was about to experience a rare event: reuniting with her classmates from the class of 1950, nearly 75 years after their graduation. This gathering was not just a nostalgic look back, but a celebration of enduring friendships forged in childhood.

Myers, who now lives in Fall River, Nova Scotia, reflected on her return, stating, “I’ve come back a different person. It’s heartwarming; for me, it was life-changing.” She was among nine former classmates who made the journey to commemorate their shared past, highlighting the bonds that have lasted despite the passage of decades and vast distances.

Memories from a Different Era

The reunion offered a poignant reminder of the world they faced as children. Myers began her schooling at Urmston in 1944, during the height of the Second World War. “There was rationing, air raid shelters, bombs dropping—those were just parts of our lives,” she recalled. The war ended in September 1945, leading to what Myers described as a gradual return to normalcy, allowing families to rebuild their lives.

After leaving for a job in London at the age of 20, Myers married, and her family eventually immigrated to Canada in November 1964. Despite the physical distance, she and her former classmates maintained contact through monthly virtual meetings over the years. As they approached the milestone of their 75th anniversary, the group felt it was time to reunite in person.

Classmates traveled from various locations, including Canada, Spain, and across the UK, to participate in this heartfelt reunion. Myers humorously remarked, “We’ve all aged considerably,” noting the warmth and joy of reconnecting. “There was a lot of hugging that day. Humor is a big part of it—we can laugh about old times and the fact that we are very old and facing a very fragile future.”

Connecting Generations

During their visit, the group had the unique opportunity to interact with a new generation of students at Urmston Primary School. Myers described the experience as special, as they engaged with children who are “almost like our great-grandchildren.” The former classmates shared their stories, and the children responded with thoughtful questions, fostering a meaningful exchange across generations.

Reflecting on her childhood, Myers recounted a favorite game called “curb or wall,” where children would race to a curb or a wall. She humorously recalled a mishap that resulted in a trip to the hospital for stitches, leaving her with a lasting scar.

Myers expressed gratitude for the chance to reconnect with her schoolmates. “Life throws all kinds of punches at you as it travels along. I feel very fortunate, as they do, to still be here—still of sound mind and curious.”

Plans are already in place for another reunion in three years, but the group will continue their monthly video calls in the meantime. “I’m so glad that this has happened, to know that this is possible as an aging person,” she shared. Myers encourages others to seek out their old friends, emphasizing the joy of rekindling those relationships.

This reunion serves not only as a celebration of lasting friendships but also as a reminder of the shared histories that bind individuals across time and space.