Telegraph Staff Writer
Edith Wolfe believes the secret to a happy life is to have no hatred and no worries, and to live simply.
That’s not all. Perhaps most importantly: always smile.
You couldn’t see Wolfe’s mouth on Sept. 29 because of the face covering she was wearing, but if her eyes were any indication, she had a smile underneath that mask as she celebrated her 109th birthday at Windsor Manor Health and Rehab Center in Starke.
Wolfe and Windsor Manor Activities Director Barbara Nicholls expressed their thanks to Winn-Dixie, Dunkin’ Donuts, Pizza Hut, Little Caesar’s and Flower Petals for providing the items to help make the day a special one for Wolfe and everyone at Windsor Manor. Wolfe also expressed her appreciation for her friends at Windsor Manor and thanked those who work at the center for having helped her in so many ways.
Mary Everington, who used to play bingo with Wolfe at the Keystone Heights Senior Center, showed up to say happy birthday and give Wolfe a gift. Everington said the last time she saw Wolfe, Wolfe was 105.
Wolfe was born in Aurora, Illinois, to parents Olaf and Ida Henderson two years prior to the start of World War I. By the time that war ended, she was 6 years old.
An Aug. 30, 2012, Lake Region Monitor story chronicled some of Wolfe’s memories as a youth, growing up with siblings Arnold and Janet. She remembered playing jacks and baseball in the streets of her hometown and riding in her family’s Ford sedan. Her father worked as a welder, while her mother preserved and canned foods.
Wolfe and her husband, J. Verne Wolfe, were married for 48 years. He passed away on April 27, 1981. The couple had two children: Verne Wolfe and Kathryn Pennington, who lives in Melrose. Wolfe has five grandsons and one granddaughter.
It was in 1982 that Wolfe moved to Starke. She moved to Keystone Heights 20 years later.
A 2013 Monitor story revealed that Wolfe, at the age of 101, was still driving herself to the Keystone Heights Senior Center twice a week to play bingo and dominoes. Wolfe, a lifelong member of the Methodist Church, was driving herself to services at Keystone Heights United Methodist Church as well.
Other activities Wolfe has enjoyed over the years include sewing and playing golf.
Wolfe has made a lot of memories over the years. She said that is exactly what life is: a memory book. That’s why her advice to all is to write great memories as well as expressing your thanks to the family and friends who support you.
Of course, don’t forget Wolfe’s rules to live by: no hatred, no worries, live simply and smile.
Windsor Manor was certainly a place full of smiles on Sept. 29, celebrating the life of one who’s had the opportunity to smile throughout 109 years of life.
