75-year pen pal friendship spans New Brunswick and Scotland

Roberta MacKenzie, 86, from Gagetown, New Brunswick, and Pat Cunningham from Perth, Scotland, have shared a friendship for 75 years through letters. Their pen pal relationship began in the early 1950s when Roberta, then 11, responded to an ad seeking Canadian friends for a girl in Scotland. Roberta wrote her first letter while recovering from tonsil surgery. She excitedly waited for a reply, which marked the start of a long bond. Over the years, they exchanged letters regularly, sharing life updates, photos, and even small gifts. Despite the passing of time and changes in technology, their friendship remained strong. Both women got married in 1959 and raised families. They eventually visited each other several times; Roberta traveled to Scotland five times, and Pat visited Canada twice. Their first meeting in person took place in 1968, creating unforgettable memories and adventures together. Roberta recently sent her latest letter to Pat in February 2025. They have never communicated by phone or online, preferring the personal touch of handwritten letters. MacKenzie believes their letters hold special meaning. “It's a dear thing between us,” she said, expressing the depth of their long-standing friendship.