My great Aunt Jean turned 100 years old last week. I asked her 5 questions.
Where were you born?
I was born in Vancouver, Canada in 1914. When I was 8 my family moved to Oshawa. I had 16 dolls and my mother told me there wasn't enough room to take them all so she stood on the corner and gave them to little girls and told them not to tell Jean. To get to Ontario we took the train and then a ship. I shut that whole ship down when I got measles. Quarantined the whole thing (laughs hysterically).
Tell me about your husband.
My husband Jack died half a century ago. He was a navigator in the Lancaster Bomber and went on 45 missions during World War II.
What was the very first movie you went to see and what movie star did you have a crush on?
What?! That was a really long time ago. I have no idea (hysterical laughter). I don't remember who I had a crush on! Charlie Chaplin, I guess. I used to go to the movies all the time. My father owned a menswear store downtown and the theatre was right across the street so I'd go visit him and he'd give me money to go to the movies to watch a show and buy candy. If I wasn't at the movies, for fun I'd talk to all the construction workers around my house and if they weren't around my mother could always find me in the one room school house across the street sitting beside the teacher.
If you could only have 1 beauty product what would it be?
Lipstick and wrinkle cream. I started using wrinkle cream a year or two ago. I just buy whatever's on sale. I don't think those ones on television where they want you to call in right away are any better. Just buy the stuff that's on sale.
What do you want for your birthday?
An iPad. I really want an iPad. If no one gets me one I'll just go to the Apple store at the mall and pick one up. It's only money.
You can say that because you're 100!
(Laughs hysterically.)
Have a good weekend. Make it count.
dana
Aunt Jean is a gem. I like how you asked her 5 questions now instead of when it was too late. Thats always something that bugs me that I did not do when I had the chance. We should all do that and take a cue from you.
Stephanie
BEAUTIFUL!
Kari M.
I just love her!!
She proves true what we hear many times over, that a good sense of humour and a positive attitude help you live longer. Love her gumption!
"It's only money." Good advice!
What a beautiful and classy lady.
Jane
Love your dress and love your Aunt Jean! My dad was born in 1914 also and his goal was to live to 100...he made it to 95 and still had his sense of humor, too. I hope she got her ipad!!
Mama Toto
Aaaw, bless her! All to match, even her purse! Were your feet killing you Karen?!! Enjoy those shoes while you can.
Grammy
I hope Aunt Jean is enjoying her iPad. I'm writing this on mine right now, so I can attest to how much better the format is than a little phone screen for eyes (and fingers) of a certain age. Not 100, but you know what I mean.
Debbie
To be able to quarantine to whole ship! Now that's a good life. Your such a lucky girl to have an Aunt like her. Plus I love her shoes.
Debbie
Please tell me that aunt Jean got an iPad for her birthday.
Larraine
There's no doubt in the world that woman is related to Betty! If nothing else, the shoes give it away. What a party -- 80 and 100. Whooppee!
Tracey
Wonderful....but frankly 5 questions is just a teaser. I want to know more about Aunt Jean!! I love that she wants an iPad and if no one buys her one, well she'll just get down to the Apple store and buy it!
And Karen, you have a beautiful long neck. I've always wanted a long neck...or any neck at all would be great!
That dress....wowzers.
leeann
Love this! It really brightened up my day :)
victoria
Wow! She seems great and she looks good! Got some good genes there Karen!
I'd like to know what she thinks is the key to a long life!?
judy
I wonder if Aunt Jean has an opinion about the general state of the world today-I am 74,grew up with WW 2
Korea, Viet Nam, and the various skirmishes that involved combat but weren't called Wars. Climate change, in our Country still after all these years we have racial tension and of course all of the chaos around the World. I wouldn't want to depress her but still we are meant to glean Wisdom from our Seniors and she might just have a very profound assessment of what its all about. You look beautiful with your Aunt and I think I can see some resemblance so now you know what you're going to look like at 100.
Laura
1914 was a very good year!
Debbie D
Love you Aunt Jean! You ROCK!
Debbie from Illinois
Love your aunt!!!!
Anna
Wow, she looks fantastic for 100!! And I love that she started using wrinkle cream at 98 years old!
ruth
Awesome.
SeaDee
Rock on Aunt Jean!
Call Me Patty
AWESOME, Karen.
MARILYN
Oh my! Two beautiful women! Karen I LOVE your dress!!!
Karen
Thanks Marilyn. I actually got it in Thailand! ~ karen