| birthday |
Louise Petiprin celebrates her 104 th Birthday
On Monday , February 7 , Mrs . Louise Petiprin joined family and friends at Southern Pines Senior Living to celebrate her 104th birthday . So what ’ s the secret to living to be a 104 years young , vibrant with a smile full of sunshine and able to walk around whenever she likes ?
“ Never give up !” says Louise . “ You have to keep trying , no matter what . I sometimes eat when I don ’ t want to , and I walk even when I don ’ t feel like it . Moving is key . Most of all , you have to obey your heavenly Father who always loves you and takes care of you .”
She grew up on a farm in Mitchell County with her parents , one brother and three sisters . The family grew cotton , corn , peanuts and tobacco . “ We plowed with mules back then ,” said Louise . “ We didn ’ t have tractors and all the things available to farm today .
“ We lived through the Depression but it wasn ’ t so bad for us , because we didn ’ t have anything and neither did our neighbors . We didn ’ t realize what was happening , so we just did the best we could ,” she said . “ Kids today seem to have so much , I wonder if they could survive a Depression .”
In 1941 , Louise traveled to Washington , D . C . “ We knew the war was coming ,” said Louise , “ And they were interviewing girls from all over the country before planes were popular . How they found housing for everyone , I just don ’ t know .” Louise began her career working for the federal government and the United States Department of Navy .
“ It was exciting being there , working for the government , seeing how things were done and run then . Oh , how things have changed !” said Louise , “ There ’ s no comparison ... it ’ s very different now .”
While working at The Pentagon , Louise met and married her husband . Together , they traveled the world , including Hawaii , Spain , England , and her favorite – France . Upon their retirement from the federal government , they moved to Florida .
Today , Louise enjoys spending time with family and friends , watching “ The Price Is Right ” on TV , reading AARP , and going to Sunday Morning Service in the Chapel at Southern Pines . She continues to motivate herself and others “ to keep moving , to never give up , and to remember that God gets us through all of our difficulties , and He will take care of us .”
20 February | March 2022 Thomasville Scene