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AGING with an Attitude
Virginia ’ s Secrets … 98 years
By
Dorie U . Sugay
Dorie Sugay is the Executive Director of Visiting Angels , a company that provides living-assistance services to seniors and adults-in-need who wish to stay in their own home or receive one-on-one care within a facility .
This article is for informational and educational purposes only . It was written independent of Visiting Angels .
Virginia L . has an indomitable spirit , a vibrant persona , and a beautiful smile , so illuminated that it could brighten a football field . She is tough , independent and strong . She is beautiful inside and out . And she is funny . Her name is not Audrey Hepburn but the same words that could be used to describe Audrey apply to Virginia .
Virginia , a resident of Morgan Hill , was born on October 9 , 1915 , making her just shy of 98 years old . She can out walk a good number of people . For safety reasons , she uses a walker ; the wheels of which smoke against the pavement when Virginia takes off with it . Suffice it to say that her caregiver , who , by the way , is only there for added safety , has to be alert , on her toes , and in good shape to keep up with her !
On December 1 , 1940 , Virginia married the love of her life , Tony . For the record , no one was there to remind her of that date . Virginia ’ s memory is unbelievable . She beams when she shares stories of their great marriage …“ thirty four years ,” she whispered as she smiled , seeming to relive those special days for that moment . They were blessed with two children : Gary and Lydia . Virginia worked at the cannery during the Depression . Later , she and Tony owned and ran an orchard . “ I worked like a man , but I remained a lady ,” she said , chuckling , as she shared that she worked so hard and so fast at the Cannery and at their orchard that it put pressure on male counterparts to hustle . Virginia explains , “ When I was young , my work was very important and if I had things I had to do , they got done , no matter what !” When she took her baby with her to work , she wrapped the baby well and put the baby in a fruit box , set it on the table as she sorted fruits in their orchard . She noted that when her back hurt , “ the more it hurt , the more I worked .” Nothing stopped her from finishing the work she had to do . It must have been a sight to see — this lady who had been crowned the Carnival Dance Queen , giving the men competition , laboring side-by-side with them .
She embroidered , she cooked and baked from scratch ( she still does at 98 !), and sewed her own clothing . She also crocheted . She was every man ’ s dream , but sadly , the man who won her heart left this world too soon . “ But life has to go on ,” she said . You can feel her commitment to life and living it to the fullest .
Virginia travelled the world for a year after she lost the love of her life . Her face beams as she listed some of her favorite spots – Puerto Rico , the Virgin Islands , Jamaica , France , Italy , Monte Carlo , Costa Rica , England . She made friends everywhere she went . If you ever have the honor of meeting Virginia , you will understand why . She makes you feel very comfortable . Her energy is captivating .
Virginia ’ s story goes on . She also loves and is very good at gardening . Members of clubs she joined would meet at her house and enjoy the garden she created . And they lingered . One of the first members of Women in Touch ( WIT ) and a member of the Italian Mothers ’ Club , her friends went to her for advice about gardens . She became a favorite speaker at the Flower Lover ’ s Club .
At 98 , she still plants new flowers in this slice of paradise that she started years ago .
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