At the century mark: Centenarians share timeless advice at Garvey Manor’s birthday celebration
Garvey Manor CEO Sister Joachim Anne Ferenchak talks with centenarian Evelyn Stever on Tuesday. Mirror photo by Patrick Waksmunski
Showalter
Lantzy
Jones
Holtz
Stever
Markley
Romerowicz
Garvey Manor CEO Sister Joachim Anne Ferenchak talks with centenarian Evelyn Stever on Tuesday. Mirror photo by Patrick Waksmunski
Showalter
Lantzy
Jones
Holtz
Stever
Markley
Romerowicz
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HOLLIDAYSBURG -- To live a life well spent, five centenarians and two soon-to-be members of the 100 club said that family comes first, always listen to your mother, and age is just a number.
Garvey Manor Nursing Home celebrated its wisest residents Tuesday afternoon for National Centenarian Day by sharing stories and advice alongside family and friends who knew them best.
Before residents got their cake, Garvey Manor CEO Sister Joachim recognized the rarity of celebrating five centenarians under one roof, with two only months away from their 100th birthday.
"Thank you for your life," she said. "Thank you for living it so well."
Garvey Manor CEO Sister Joachim Anne Ferenchak talks with centenarian Bede Lantzy.
Mirror photo by Patrick Waksmunski
Elverda "Vertie" Holtz worked at the Ebensburg Center for 13 years. Turning 104 in February, she enjoys cooking, crocheting, gardening and canning summer vegetables.
Holtz believes staying calm is the secret to a long life.
"In situations where things happened, God's hands do what it would be," her daughter, Toni Holtz, said.
City native Beulah Jones, 101, worked at Shaffer Grocery Store in Altoona before her two children were born. She now has many grandchildren, great-grandchildren and great-great-grandchildren.
Jones advised others to have a furry friend by their side, as her loyal border collie, Finnegan, sat by her feet during the ceremony.
Daughter Beverely Gummo said her mother has always loved dogs. Finnegan has been Jones' companion for five years now. Olga Romerowicz, who also celebrated 101 years of life Tuesday, is known in the community for working at the Altoona Hospital as a licensed practical nurse for 31 years.
Kathy Gassler, Altoona District Office Manager for Congressman John Joyce, presents a letter of recognition to centenarian Beulah Jones on Tuesday at
Garvey Manor.
Mirror photo by Patrick Waksmunski
Activities Director Barbra Hileman said many of Romerowicz's co-workers continue to visit her over the years.
"They said, 'Olga has such a way.' She got to train the new staff coming, and they always knew that they wanted to do it so that Olga would be proud of them," Hileman said.
Romerowicz believes that staying active is beneficial beyond years, along with taking vitamins once a day.
"I started at 18," she said.
Born in Spangler, Bede Lantzy served in the Navy during World War II before working in his family's insurance agency based in Carrolltown, which his sons now run together.
Reaching 100 years old this year, he loves to hunt, fish and play tennis -- some activities he did with his sons -- which is why he believes family is most important.
"He got all three sons into the business, which is hard to do in the same business," his son, Dave said. "And we all worked there for 40-plus years apiece."
Centenarian Evelyn Stever -- who told the crowd that she's 23 -- said that age is just a number.
Growing up in the region, Stever graduated from Tyrone High School during World War II and always enjoyed dressing up.
"Looking at a picture of her whole class, they're all dressed in black, and there's one woman who is wearing white and dressed up; that's my mom," her son, Matt Stever said.
She spent a majority of her career as a secretary for Tyrone High School. She recently celebrated her 100th birthday at the end of July.
Garvey Manor celebrated its centenarians with a group party on Tuesday.
Mirror photo by Patrick Waksmunski
Two residents, Anne Showalter and Florine Markley, will celebrate their 100th birthdays later in the year, but they still had valuable advice to spread around Garvey Manor's social hall Tuesday.
Showalter worked in Garvey Manor's dietary department while raising three sons and one daughter. She will officially become a centenarian on Oct. 10.
Her advice is to never disappoint your mother.
"I'm not saying we didn't; we just tried not to disappoint her," her son, Ed Showalter, said.
Meanwhile, Florine Markley, who will turn 100 on Dec. 18, anticipates meeting her 14th great-grandchild, who is due in December 2026.
"Might be my birthday," she said.
Markley was the youngest of seven sisters born in Altoona, who went on to marry a Marine veteran. They celebrated 60 years of marriage before he passed away.
"My advice is to encourage people to really love each other and be there for each other," she said. "And to trust in your Savior, because he's with you in good times and bad times."
After the centenarians reflected on their lives, Hileman said they try to make their birthday celebration as special as they can each year.
"These people deserve it," she said.
Thinking about relocating to a long-term care setting like Garvey Manor, she said that residents come here to live and make new friendships.
"Because you reach a certain age, you don't stop being that person that you've always been," she said.
Mirror Staff Writer Colette Costlow is at 814-946-7414.