Utah’s centenarians share what they have learned over 100 years

When 109-year-old Frances Mitchell was asked if she feels lucky to have lived so long, she gave a simple response.

“Of course, I think I deserve it,” Mitchell said with a smile.

Mitchell was the oldest person in attendance at Utah’s Centenarian Celebration hosted by the Division of Aging and Adult Services and Utah Gov. Spencer Cox on Tuesday.

The governor gave brief remarks and then he and his wife, first lady Abby Cox, went around the room greeting each member of the “Century Club” and taking pictures with them.

“It’s easy sometimes to get a little discouraged about who we are and in the bad things that are happening in our country, in our world, and sadly, in our backyard,” the governor said in his remarks. “I try to look for the good that’s out there. And I’m proud to say that there is so much more good in Utah than there is evil.”

He also shared how much of an inspiration each of the centenarians are.

“It’s easy for us to think that everything is so bad and it’s the worst it’s ever been, but we have a bunch of people in this room that know that it’s not the worst it’s ever been. You are an inspiration to all of us the way you have lived your lives,” Cox said.

The governor also shared that Utah has been named the best state in the country multiple years in a row, but went on credit the centenarians with the state’s greatness.

“You built this state. The decisions that you made, the lives that you lived, the families that you raised, the businesses that you started, the service that you gave to your neighbors and your communities, are what made it so we could be named the best state in the country,” Cox said.

The event was introduced by Division of Aging and Adult Services director Nels Holmgren, who thanked all in attendance for being there.

“Our centenarians have their own remarkable stories to tell about. Their more than 100 years of amazing experiences,” Holmgren said.

Words of wisdom from Utah’s centenarians

The Deseret News sat down with a few members of Utah’s Century Club asking them to share life lessons they have learned as well as their secrets to living such long lives.

Mitchell’s life lesson she would like to tell young people is that they should be friendly people, make good friends and honor them.

When asked what her secret is to living so long, Mitchell said it’s because she is “stubborn.”

Phyllis Ockerman, 103, was one of 11 people and two women at the event who served in the military during World War II. Ockerman was a Navy nurse and when asked what she would want young people today to know that she wished she knew, she said “things will work out.”

Another piece of advice Ockerman gave was “Watch your words, because you can’t get them back.”

Floyd Anderson, 102, another World War II veteran, said his advice is for people to be involved in diverse experiences. He added that everyone should hold on to areas of life that are constructive and get rid of things that are destructive.

Wayne Clayson, the oldest man at the celebration on Tuesday, said his advice to younger people is that “they should learn how to be friends.”

Clayson, along with multiple other members of the Century Club said that attitude is a huge part of living a long time, if you have a good attitude it makes life better.

Esther Orr, 104, another veteran who served in the Army during World War II, echoed that same sentiment.

“My two words are attitude, perseverance,” Orr said when asked her secret to living so long. “And always be happy.”

Orr also shared that she believes the young people today should “be kind to others, and volunteer, if possible, to help others.”

Helen Joe Stoddard, 102, who used to teach nutrition shared that she believes good nutrition has helped her live past the age of 100.

Another thing that was repeated by multiple centenarians sharing how they have lived so long is “staying active,” and being around other people such as friends and family.

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Utah’s ‘Century Club’ by the numbers

• There are a total of 154 centenarians currently living in Utah, 124 women and 30 men. At Tuesday’s event 56 centenarians were present, 46 women and 10 men.
• The oldest people in Utah are three women; Betty Mendoza, who is 113, and Lucille Robbins and Vera Dugdale, who are both 112.
• The oldest men in the Century Club are Milton Christensen, Paul Nkoy and Leon Tapia, who are all 110.
• Salt Lake County has the highest number of Utah’s centenarians with 84, followed by Utah County with 18 and Weber County which has 16.