At 105 Years Old: Resident Receives Historic Black Hole Image from Astrophysicist
For immediate release
April 30, 2026
Waterloo, ON – Curiosity knows no age. At 105, Luther Village on the Park resident Violet Sykes finds learning about outer space is as fascinating as ever. Today, in celebration of her birthday and thirst for knowledge, the Waterloo Centre for Astrophysics at the University of Waterloo (WCA) honoured Violet with an image of the first-ever photograph of a Black Hole.
In December, residents of Luther Village on the Park spent an afternoon exploring stars, galaxies, nebulae and black holes inside the portable planetarium known as the Astro-Bubble developed by researchers at WCA. For Violet, this was an unimaginable opportunity.
Struck by Violet’s curiosity and interest in astronomy, Dr. Avery Broderick, Professor in the Department of Physics and Astronomy, and the WCA wanted to do something special. They decided to bring the Astro-Bubble to residents at Luther Village on the Park and commemorate Violet’s milestone birthday in a special celebration.
Dr. Broderick is a member of the Event Horizon Telescope (EHT) Collaboration – an international team of astrophysicists behind the first-ever images of supermassive black holes including M87 and Sagittarius A*, located in the middle of our own Milky Way galaxy.
Following a lecture, Dr. Broderick presented a signed-photo of the first-ever image of a Black Hole to Violet in honour of her 105th birthday, a meaningful keepsake symbolizing that there is always more to discover, no matter your age.
The event ended with the unique opportunity for residents to tour inside the Astro-Bubble and explore the wonders of universe.
“Our wellness programming at the Village is intentionally designed to support a culture of active living, community participation, and lifelong learning.” Shared Jocelyn Vieth, Director of Operations at Luther Village on the Park. “Providing our residents with experiences like this reflects our commitment to engaging residents intellectually, socially and emotionally at every stage of life.”
At 105, Violet’s story is a powerful reminder that there is no age limit on wonder, curiosity and discovery.
Luther Village on the Park is a retirement community in Waterloo that has supported older adults since 1997. Serving more than 450 residents, the Village offers a range of services that enable residents to age in place while enjoying exceptional care, wellness-focused programming, and a welcoming community environment. For more information, book a tour or visit us online at www.luthervillage.org.
Media Contact:
Jocelyn Vieth, Director of Operations
Luther Village on the Park
jvieth@luthervillage.org
226-220-3612