C-NOTABLES; 2 WOMEN CELEBRATE 100 YEARS OF LIVING.Byline: Annette Burget Bailey Staff Writer Helen Austin and Mabel Richards Rich·ards , Dickinson Woodruff 1895-1973. American physician. He shared a 1956 Nobel Prize for developing cardiac catheterization. remember a world without computers - or radios, television and electricity. The 100-year-olds were born during the Industrial Revolution, are seniors during the Information Age, and have watched a few eras in between. And with their birthday wishes Thursday, Richards for one said she wouldn't mind doing it all over again. ``I wish for another 100 years - if they're as good as the first half,'' she said. On Thursday, the two residents of Ventura Estates Adventist Retirement and Health Care Center were treated to a 100th birthday celebration, complete with friends, family, cake, ice cream and plenty of good wishes. On the surface, the two might appear very different - Austin hails from Southern Illinois Illinois, river, United States Illinois, river, 273 mi (439 km) long, formed by the confluence of the Des Plaines and Kankakee rivers, NE Ill., and flowing SW to the Mississippi at Grafton, Ill. It is an important commercial and recreational waterway. , she married in 1920 and graduated from nursing school in 1923. Later, she went on to receive bachelor's and master's degrees master's degree n. An academic degree conferred by a college or university upon those who complete at least one year of prescribed study beyond the bachelor's degree. Noun 1. in public health from UCLA UCLA University of California at Los Angeles UCLA University Center for Learning Assistance (Illinois State University) UCLA University of Carrollton, TX and Lower Addison, TX . ``I always felt I'd go to nursing school, so that's what I did,'' said Austin, whose actual birthday was Thursday. Richards, on the other hand, took a more traditional path - she married in 1920 to preacher H.M.S. Richards, the originator Originator A bank, savings and loan, or mortgage banker that initially made a mortgage loan that is part of a pool. Also, an investment bank that has worked with the issuer of a new securities offering from the beginning and is usually appointed manager of the underwriting of ``Voice of Prophecy The Voice Of Prophecy was founded in 1929 by H.M.S. Richards, Sr. on a single radio station in Los Angeles, but has since spread to stations throughout the United States and has recently begun television and video production. Richards Sr. was speaker from 1929 to 1969. ,'' one of the first religious radio programs ever broadcast during the early 1920s, and raised their children. But they both made their way out to California California (kăl'ĭfôr`nyə), most populous state in the United States, located in the Far West; bordered by Oregon (N), Nevada and, across the Colorado River, Arizona (E), Mexico (S), and the Pacific Ocean (W). during the 1920s, spending most of their adult lives firmly rooted in the Glendale area. ``I was married back there (Illinois), but before we were married, my husband-to-be asked me where I'd like to live - I was planning on going to California,'' said Austin, whose intended had an altogether different idea. ``Actually, Washington state was his favorite, but if I wanted to go to California, that's where we'd go.'' And they both raised families - with children now in their 70s. Austin has two daughters, aged 78 and 74, and Richards has one daughter and three sons, ranging in age from 55 to 75. Ventura Estates is the place the two women, both widowed, have called home for more than 10 years. They credit healthy living as a secret to longevity longevity (lŏnjĕv`ĭtē), term denoting the length or duration of the life of an animal or plant, often used to indicate an unusually long life. , a topic often raised by younger residents at the home. ``I've never smoked, drank and haven't eaten meat since high school days,'' Austin said. ``I just turned against it - I don't even like the smell.'' Richards, whose actual birthday was Sunday, agreed. ``I don't smoke or drink. Never have, never will,'' she said. Nansea McDermott has been the center's event coordinator for the past year and has seen three other residents reach the century mark. ``I think the key is a spiritual connection - they have incredible faith. Because of that, they take wonderful care of themselves and each other,'' she said. As they prepared to make a wish and blow out the single birthday candle, both women reflected on their unusually long lives and made solitary solitary /sol·i·tary/ (sol´i-tar?e) 1. alone; separated from others. 2. living alone or in pairs only. solitary being the only one or ones. wishes. ``One wish: to see our Lord when he returns - and present my family to him,'' Austin said. CAPTION(S): Photo Photo: (Color) Helen Austin, left, and Mabel Richards both celebrated their 100th birthday Thursday. Eric Grigorian/Special to the Daily News |
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