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Your Stories
Welcome to the Lives Well Lived online gallery of incredible photos and stories sent in from our friends, fans and supporters. We know you will enjoy these snapshots of people who embody and reflect the Lives Well Lived philosophy.
Gail is a lifelong entrepreneur, the previous owner of 2 multi-million dollar companies. For the past 20 years, she has coached business owners, their teams, and groups to practice creative leadership. 2 Years ago, Gail began Wonder Women Mastermind. And now, at age 78, she is excited to work with women in various stages of transition to reimagine life as they age. Gail is an author, speaker mentor, and recipient of numerous awards, including the David O. Justice Alumni Award in 2019 from DePaul University’s, School for New Learning.
Visit www.womenover70.com to learn more about Gail’s Women over 70 podcast.
GAIL ZELITZKY, AGE 78
Catherine has been listening to women’s stories for nearly 50 years—as mentor to female students (ages 35-80), as instructor of women’s issues, and as researcher-writer on women as learners and on vital women in their 70s. Her primary context has been innovative, customized degree programs for adult learners, most of whom are women.
Now, at age 70, Catherine has moved from a full-time faculty position to focus on her ‘passion projects’—women’s learning and development through the lens of aging, and adult learning through the lens of neuroscience.
Visit www.womenover70.com to learn more about Catherine’s Women over 70 podcast.
CATHERINE MARIENAU, AGE 70
Dominic immigrated from Sicily when he was fifteen years old. He and his partner opened Dominic and Pietro’s Barber Studio in Ho-Ho-Kus, NJ in 1970. Dominic made a lasting impression on the entire Bergen County community with his cheerful friendly family-oriented shop. For fifty years he did so much more than cut hair.
His customers were his friends, we all became family. He worked long hours always opening up before seven and always staying late for his last customer. Dominic was active, I remember his bike riding stories but his family both immediate and extended was his true love. He was such a gentleman and just made you feel special. He loved his job and it showed. He spoke Italian to his old-time friends and was always willing to talk travel tips to Sicily.
The entire town of Ho-Ho-Kus will miss him so much. The front of his shop is covered with amazing notes and flowers from his customers. He was a barber but to everyone he was family.
What is your definition of a life well lived? Life is measured by the friends you make and based on that definition Dominic was priceless!
What is the accomplishment you are most proud of? Dominic loved everyone - his family and his customers.
What do you attribute to living as long as you have? Dominic was active. How many of us are fit enough to stand for twelve hours doing our job with a smile on our faces talking to all kinds of people making them feel special.
What do you wish younger people understood about life? Dominic didn’t have it easy but his positive attitude and love was contagious.
DOMINIC PARISI, AGE 76
Nancy Harris my 4th grade teacher back in the 60s is a role model in many ways. She has retired from teaching but certainly not from life. She was such an inspiration to me as her student and now still as she seasons! She still mentors children one on one and makes children books.
She sews picnic baskets for gifts and still has time to have her own business called KJnancraft an educational game company. She is a mom to two and grandmother to two grandchildren. Named California teacher of the year in the 70s, she is inspiring in the way she shares her time and talents with others.
What is your definition of a life well lived? A life that is shared with others and makes a difference for others. Being happy who are you.
What is the accomplishment you are most proud of? Relationship building. / blue zones speaker opportunity!! What an opportunity to spread wellbeing
What do you attribute to living as long as you have? My active lifestyle and diet
What do you wish younger people understood about life? Recognizing Simple pleasures, a bike ride, birds singing. A call with a friend, cuddling with my husband, . The journey of happiness and gratitude, always being a life long learner and being open to learning anything new.
What has been most instrumental in shaping your life? My parents love, my family and dedicated teachers
How do you feel about your own mortality? My goal is a healthy vital and robust 100 years and more
What do you look forward to? What's next? Travel, seeing friends and family while traveling, hosting parties and hospitality!
What is your secret for living a Life Well Lived? Nourishing the connections that you make. Being active and pursuing tasks and activities that you enjoy! Having a purpose and fulfilling it.
NANCY HARRIS
Floyd Raven, a 29 year Veteran, US States Air Force. A devoted husband, father, and friend. He loved the Medical Laboratory field, so much he was still working as a part-time Medical Technologists. He succumb to Covid 19 on 28 April 2020. He was larger than life, never meeting a stranger.
What is your definition of a life well lived? As a retired 29 Year Major of the United States Air Force. He was a devoted father of 5, husband to Peggy and a friend to anyone he meets. Even at 63, he wanted to work part-time to keep up his Medical Technologist skills.
What is the accomplishment you are most proud of? His ability to make anyone feel welcome in the laboratory, and his spending 29 years in the Air Force.
FLOYD RAVEN, AGE 63
What is your definition of a life well lived? Larry was an optimist. His life was good. He lived it to the fullest. Larry gave me love and touched my heart. I will miss those subtle, witty remarks he was always making. I reflect upon my own life with gratitude to him because Larry had a knack for making me, and others, happy.
LARRY VENTIS
Carmelina Cacace was born to two Italian immigrants, James and Teresa Cacace in 1918. As a toddler, Carmelina only spoke Italian at home, learning English when she began elementary school. After completing eighth grade, Carmelina missed a full year of schooling due to her family’s demand for her services at home. A persistent and persuasive teacher came to the family home and convinced her parents to allow her to return to school, paving the way for Carmelina to graduate from high school in Clarksburg, WVA in 1937. After graduation, she was a dental assistant.
She moved to Weirton, WVA during World War II and worked in the shell factory at Weirton Steel. In 1944 Carmelina was the top producer of shells in the factory’s war effort.
In 1946 she married a war veteran, Victor Prozzi, also born in Italy, and moved to Pittsburgh. The couple bought a home in Bellevue, PA in 1950 and raised a family of 3 children. They built a life on Victor’s machinist salary and strong Italian traditions -- family, church, great food, and homemade red wine.
Carmelina devoted her life to caring for her husband and children with a family commitment to education and achievement. Her children, Donna, James, and Patricia all attended graduate school. She remained in her Bellevue house after her husband’s death in 1994 until moving into an assisted living facility in 2013, only 2 blocks from her home of 63 years.
Today, at 100, Carmelina is an avid reader and a vibrant member of her personal care facility. She is a counselor, friend, and adopted grandmother to her caregivers. She is the adored matriarch of a family of 26 including children, grandchildren, great grandchildren, and spouses. Prayer is a large part of her life; a place on Carmie’s prayer line is a coveted position!
What is your definition of a life well lived? Being able to look back on your life with no regrets, and being able to say that you wouldn't change a thing in your life.
What is the accomplishment you are most proud of? My family, because my family is my life. I am proud of my children, my grandchildren and my great-grandchildren. I am proud and grateful that my husband Vic and I were finally able to have three healthy children after three miscarriages and therefore four very difficult years early in our marriage
What do you attribute to living as long as you have?: I have no idea, except that I guess God doesn't need me yet. He isn't ready for me yet.
What do you wish younger people understood about life?: That they should "think and do", as the nuns at the Assumption School used to tell my kids. Take the time to think about what you are about to do. All actions have consequences.
What has been most instrumental in shaping your life?: • My family, both the family that I was born into and the family that my husband and I created.
• My stubborn, stick-to-it spirit and the fact that I always spoke my mind (even though that got me into trouble at times!)
• My willingness to work hard, going back to when I was in the eighth grade and my mother decided she needed me at home and I wouldn't need to go to high school. But one of my teachers, who was also Italian, convinced her that I needed to go back to school and so I graduated from high school in 1937. They captioned my senior picture with "Her mind is bright, her heart's all right".
How do you feel about your own mortality?: I really don't think about it, but I am ready when God calls me. I believe in " il destino" as the Italians used to say---one's life is predetermined by one's destino.
What do you look forward to? What's next?: I look forward to continuing to live to enjoy my whole family: my children and their families including my grandchildren and my great-grandchildren.
What is your secret for living a Life Well Lived?: Hard work and good wine! And being able to say that I have no regrets and wouldn't change a thing in my life--- except for wishing that my husband could have lived longer to be able to enjoy his grandchildren and great-grandchildren with me.
CARMELINA CACACE PROZZI, AGE 100
Whose story are you sharing? She was elegant, polished, and much venerated for her styling and cosmetics expertise. Laura Righetti Garzoli was a memorable figure at the cosmetics department with the longstanding but long-retired Riley’s Department store in San Luis Obispo. She was infamous for her alabaster Swiss-Italian profile, and cruising around town in her bright-yellow hot rod.
Laura was born in 1905 to Italian-Swiss immigrants Orazio and Gina Donati Righetti on the coast in Cayucos, California. She was Miss Cayucos in 1923 and shortly thereafter brazenly moved to San Francisco to attend Munson Secretarial School. During WWII she served her country as a secretary to the war effort in Utah. It is there that a former childhood friend played matchmaker and orchestrated a blind date with Frank Garzoli. They married and returned to San Luis Obispo to make their home. Tragedy struck when her husband, a motorcycle patrolman was killed. She remained a widow and dedicated to her husband all these years.
After her tenure with Riley’s, Laura struck out on her own, opening a Merle Norman Cosmetics Studio in the Laguna Center in San Luis Obispo and operated it until her retirement in 1978.
What did she attribute to living such a long life? Laura’s secret for a long life was half a glass of red wine every night after dinner. Although 109, the last time I saw her she took a few minutes to recall who I was, but then the glimmer of remembrance came to her. She told me that her memory was not what it used to be. “I am letting go of some memories so that I can treasure the memories I hold most dear.” As we sat and chatted I reminded myself that I was in the presence of a special woman and to soak in every moment and not let the memory go.
She passed away in 2014 a few months shy of 110 years-old.
LAURA GARZOLI, AGE 109
Marjorie Watkins aka 'Spirelli Marje' had three passions in life: the piano, her family and most recently 7 years ago when 90 years old, she discovered her first artistic expression making Dutch Spirelli thread art cards.
Marjorie grew up in a tiny town in Wyoming. Her father was a sheep rancher. Her mother was deaf and raised three children. In the 1930's, Marjorie earned a college degree in Piano Performance and became a well-respected piano teacher with many students. She taught her two daughters to play the piano. Music has remained an essential aspect of all of their lives.
Marjorie responded to all of the questions below in her own handwriting and mailed them to me, her daughter. I include them in quotes below.
What is your definition of a life well lived? "A life well-lived in my opinion is one that you feel you have accomplished something worthwhile, one you have enjoyed. You have not only done something for yourself but for others."
What is the accomplishment you are most proud of? "I am most proud of my two daughters. I couldn't be more proud!"
What do you attribute to living as long as you have? "1. Diet and exercise in youth - tennis & bicycling.
2. I try not to worry but do what I can about a situation and then it up to the Lord."
What do you wish younger people understood about life? "I wish younger people would try to understand that they have to play a part in the health of their body with diet, exercise and yes, prayer. I could not have lived this life alone without prayer - getting through the pitfalls, etc. I think perhaps prayer has been most instrumental in shaping my life."
What has been most instrumental in shaping your life? "I had wonderful parents who encouraged me and were there for me always. Also had a wonderful sister who was my mentor (lived to age 98) role model and two wonderful daughters and husband!" Marjorie's husband died 28 years ago when she was only 70, he was 76. She blossomed into herself, moved to three different states and still lives independently in a retirement home at age 97 1/2!"
How do you feel about your own mortality? "I don't want to live if I can't take care of myself. I want to be able to think straight, to be physically healthy so I don't depend on others. I've always had good health. Hope I will 'till the end!
What do you look forward to? What's next? "I look forward to a healthy life to the end! I would like to write my memoirs next. It hasn't been too exciting a life, but one well lived so far.."
What is your secret for living a Life Well Lived? "I think you have to have a lot of patience with yourself as well as others. Maybe that is my secret! One needs to have an interest in something ~ I always had that. The piano when young, now my card-making. You get stale if you aren't creating!"
MARJORIE WATKINS, AGE 97 1/2
Allen Zeltzer was born at the height of the Spanish Flu in 1919 in Detroit, Michigan. Ten days after his birth, his mother passed away. Allen was the son of a doctor of veterinary medicine and was one of the first meat inspectors in Detroit. Allen attended schools in Detroit then went on to obtain his Bachelors and Masters degree in theater at Wayne State University. He was drafted in the Army-Air Force (as it was formerly known). During that time he met my 16-year-old mother and with much determination and wooing, he married my mother, Marion, in 1943 when she was 17 years old! After the war, Allen went into the shoe business, as the only option at the time with already have started their family. In 1960, his brother from Michigan came for a visit. And a short time later, Allen and Marion packed up the family and moved to Detroit so Allen could obtain is doctorate and study to become a college educator. Four years later, packed up the family again, moved back to California, where he became a Professor of Theater Arts at California State University Fullerton. He was a very popular professor and sought to enroll in his classes. Marion became ceramist and was quite successful. The three children thrived back in California and all studied hard to follow in their footsteps of their father. The eldest son and youngest daughter became lawyers and the middle daughter, a teacher. Allen retired in 1991 at the age of 70 with the title of Professor Emeritus. They settled in a retirement community and continued on to have active and fun-filled life until they passed away. Marion at 86 and Allen at 100.
What is your definition of a life well-lived? Allen felt that what kind of life can you have without laughter? He was sure to spread this infectious trait to everyone he met. Allen was a great storyteller, mostly Jewish Humor readings. Along with laughter, he and Marion we active and sought activities that were good for your health but would always be with others. Biking was their number one go-to exercise, Allen was president of the Orange County Wheel Man, and led bike tours in Europe every summer and he was known as the Peddling Professor. He led tours until he was 70 and then took up tennis, bocci ball, table tennis to name a few. He also started a theater group in his community and to this day it is the highlight of the community. He never took a day for granted and woke up every morning with a smile followed his upbeat, happy, and filled with laughter to start the new day ahead.
What is the accomplishment you are most proud of? Allen was most proud of his wife, Marion. It was not an easy path because only one of the participants was doing all the work to have a relationship!! He was so proud of how she finished high school diploma going to night school. She went to college after their children were grown to obtain an Art Degree. He was most in aw her ceramics career and all the accolades she received for her work. He adored Marion and never let a day go by without giving her a smile, a hug, and kiss each morning.
What do you attribute to living as long as you have? Allen was a very healthy eater and always lived that lifestyle. He always an avid reader to keep up with the healthiest way of eating. He also made sure all others would listen to him about eating a healthy diet, maybe too much at times!. Along with eating healthy, his positive attitude was a key to a happy, healthy, lifestyle. You could always count on Allen to look at every situation with a spin of positivity no matter how difficult it may be.
What do you wish younger people understood about life? Keep pursuing your dreams no matter how difficult. Complaining and procrastinating will not accomplish any of your goals. Always look to that goal and not look back, trust yourself you are on the right course. If not, there is no rule to change your plan at midway and go in a different direction. Trust yourself, although turn to others for guidance, and remember always think of the progress you have made from the day before.
What has been most instrumental in shaping your life? His parents would be the first and most important people who shaped Allen's life. They gave him the framework for life, from laughter, education, humor, empathy to good work ethics.
How do you feel about your own mortality? Allen passed away last year, but he was always known as the only person that never thought he was getting old, even though everyone would tell him so, so that he would slow down!
He never discussed his mortality, he was too busy enjoying each every day to the fullest. Even as he got into his late 90’s, he never would start the day without yearning to keep learning, keeping active. His positivity was how he approached each day as if it was his first day of life.
What do you look forward to? What's next? His family continues to keep his spirit alive just by his sharing his life through his memories and so proud to have been part of life.
What is your secret for living a Life Well Lived? Laughter-Active- Positivity
ALLEN ZELTZER, AGE 100 (PICTURED IN HIS 70'S)
Monday Club member, Idabelle Shields is a most remarkable person. Her stories are wonderful, and what a mischievous sense of humor in the telling. In August, Idabelle will celebrate her 103rd birthday – earning the distinction as our most senior Monday Club member.
She attended high school with Gerald Ford and treasures his autograph in her yearbook.
Two railroad box cars were once called her Gallup, New Mexico “home” when her husband worked for the Santa Fe RR.
She once received a thank-you letter from “Big Thumb Idabelle” – one of several Navajo men she had helped to get their government wages through proxy marriage – for giving him a required last name. “Big Thumb” was confused about his new name and used “Idabelle.” [Some of the men were under the impression that Idabelle had really married them.]
Idabelle loved joining in the Monday Club’s Hi Jinx performances – skits including “Casey at the Bat” to “Bugle Boy of Company B.” And does she love a good joke? Idabelle collects the best to share. At our Club meeting honoring long-time members, she allowed that …” the best part about being 102 is the lack of peer pressure!”
During one of my visits she wondered aloud why she has so much trouble sleeping, and instead lies in bed at night thinking about such things as how to say the alphabet backwards – which Idabelle promptly recited to me quickly and flawlessly. Idabelle is an avid “Spider Solitaire” player, served up on her laptop computer, and a voracious Kindle reader (100 books last year). A marvelous friend and a joy to know, Idabelle Shields has been an active and joyful Monday Club member and our inspiration.
Contributed by Gini Griffin (Monday Club)
ISABELLE SHIELDS, AGE 103
Whose story are you sharing?
I am sharing my grandmother's story for the Lives Well Lived project. She was a maverick. Born in a small town outside of Truth or Consequences, New Mexico. Eldest in a Mexican family of nine children. She married at sixteen, and by eighteen, with two small children in tow, moved to Southern California with her first husband. It was the early 1950s and she yearned for something greater. With courage and swagger, she hit Hollywood looking like the southwest’s version of Elizabeth Taylor. Soon after, she left her husband, abandoned her children, and posed for one of the first issues of Playboy Magazine, or so the legend goes. There are unmarked photographs remaining as documentary evidence, but no back-issues to confirm. Her Bohemian spirit led to painting. Her southwest inspired paintings would be collected by many. She saw opportunity and took full advantage. She passed her passion for life on to me and my daughter.
What was her advice for life?
Take risks and there is no failure in life.
Mi abuela, Liz, passed away from complications of Alzheimer’s November 14, 2010.
Contributed by: Catherine Trujillo
LIZ HILL AT AGE 20
am a creative woman who was/is always excited and ready to try new things. I innovated businesses, created art, was involved in music, enjoyed buying and selling things as a way of income.
I'm a fighter for people's rights and for animals who can't speak for themselves. I have accomplished much in my life and have written a book about some of it.
What is your definition of a life well lived? A life well lived is someone who has not only accomplished many things in life, but has given to those less fortunate - both people and animals.
What is the accomplishment you are most proud of? Besides having two wonderful children. I am proud of the fact that I have had over 50 stories I have written about people in my community published in a local magazine.
What do you attribute to living as long as you have? Probably good genes, and some reason I'm still here at this age to do something special.
What do you wish younger people understood about life? To not always expect everything handed to them and to work and accumulate money to buy what they want instead of spending it first.
What has been most instrumental in shaping your life? An open mind to learning new things and giving up some things that may have been important but are not important any longer.
How do you feel about your own mortality? Had a massive heart attack about a year and half ago and was gotten to hospital in time and then had a long recovery back to almost where I was. I never know if I have another 10 minutes or 10 years, but do know the end of my life is not too far off. Makes me sad not to have all the precious moments I had any longer.
What do you look forward to? What's next? Have no idea what's coming next, but my attitude is to keep on keeping on and do whatever I want with a minimum of stress.
What is your secret for living a Life Well Lived? Having a good sense of humor, to be as giving as I can, live as healthy as I can and have chocolate every day!
Photo courtesy of: Ruth Starr
RUTH STARR, AGE 81
Born and raised on grandparent's [German immigrants] farm in Western PA. Served in US Navy during WWII. Attended Engineering College of The University of Detroit under GI Bill. Was Avionics Engineer at Lockheed Aircraft for 37 years. Retired in '87. Moved to Cambria CA in 1988, with wife Trudy. Was Tour Guide at Hearst Castle for 21 years. Retired [again!] in 2012. Became a docent at Hearst Castle Visitor Center in 2013. Also became a docent/guide at San Simeon [CA] Elephant Seal Rookery in 2012.
What is your definition of a life well lived? To take advantage of opportunities in education, vocational career[s!], avocational involvements, avenues of service, to resist becoming 'too retired', cultivate friendships. and continue 'living' [in the fullest sense of the term].
What is the accomplishment you are most proud of? As a youth leader in church, Young Life, YMCA, and schools - having the privilege of impacting young lives, in their formative years - then having the pleasure of seeing your efforts 'bear fruit' - as they move into adulthood.
What do you attribute to living as long as you have? Caring for my health and well-being, responsibly!
What do you wish younger people understood about life? To discern - from observing my peers, including myself - as to their values - and the way that they have lived their lives - as a way to transmute timeless wisdom - that is difficult [and perhaps impossible] to convey to the next generation - by conventional means [books, etc].
What has been most instrumental in shaping your life? Studying others - that have 'qualifying credentials' - such as John Muir, Pierre Tehard de Chardin, Thomas Merton, Karl Jung, Sir Earnest Shackleton, The Dalai Lama, etc. Also, studying the philosophies of indigenous peoples, such as Native American, Mayan, Incan, Maori's, aboriginals, etc.
How do you feel about your own mortality? In studying 'possibilities' - I'm eager to learn - 'who was right' and 'whow as wrong'!
What do you look forward to? What's next? What's around the next corner.
What is your secret for living a Life Well Lived? If I had one - and I shared it here - it would no longer be a secret!
ART TROUTMAN, AGE 89
David Lander was born in 1933 in New York a stone’s throw from the water’s edge. His search for adventure led him to the water where he found a mentor who took him under her wing and “allowed” him to scrub, sand and varnish her boat in return for sailing lessons. He took to sailing like a fish takes to water; and he was sailing before he was 9 years old. And the rest is history! At 16, he became the youngest crew on a racing yacht in the St. Petersburg, Florida to Havana, Cuba Race. By 18 he was an accomplished sailor and was offered a unique opportunity to deliver a sailboat to South America; but Uncle Sam’s call to arms encouraged him to join the Navy to see the world, but he mostly saw the inside of an engine room. On his occasional venture on shore, he was recruited for the Navy sailing team!
In 1973 David embarked on his dream to build a boat. With plans in hand, an empty warehouse near the water’s edge, he built his dream sailboat a 56 foot ketch named “Sueno”. It took him 3 years to build the bare bones boat. “Sueno” has taken him hundreds of thousands of miles across oceans, bays and rivers including a transatlantic crossing.
Today Sueno is moored at the City of Hollywood Marina in Florida ready for more adventure!
How old are you? 80 this year in October
What three things should I know about you? I am tenacious, I am adventurous, honest and tell the truth.
What is a fun or interesting fact about you? I’ve lived on a boat all my life and sailed since I was 9 years old
What did you do for a living before you retired? The same thing, I always sailed
What do you attribute to living as long as you have? My lifestyle of sailing and always living out in nature.
What is your definition of a life well lived? To be satisfied in the end, that you have done everything that you wanted to do.
What is your secret for a happy life? To be content with yourself.
What has been most instrumental in shaping our life? Sailing
How are you the same and how are you different than you were earlier in life? I have the same beliefs as I did when I was younger; somewhat more content.
What about your environment, family and friends best supports you? My wife is my best supporter
What accomplishment are you most proud of? Building Sueño and being able to support myself from my sailing adventures.
What do you wish younger people understood about life? They should get up and experience life, stop thinking someone else is going to do for them or pay for them.
What is one thing that people shouldn’t worry about? Their fears
What is your greatest passion? How has that changed over time? Sailing—slowed down over time
What do you most regret? Nothing
What do you think about your own mortality? I think it’s getting closer
What do you enjoy most in life right now? My wife and my boat
What do you look forward to? What’s next? Staying alive
DAVID LANDER, AGE 80
How old are you? I don't look at how old I am, I have lived for seventy-five years.
What three things should I know about you? I have lived a very blessed life with highs and lows and each experience is a learning experience. I am grateful for the lows because they have taught me how to forgive and to move forward. The lows have also taught me that I am not alone—no one escapes some tragedy in life. The highs have given me joy, freedom, laughter and an appreciation for life.
What is a fun or interesting fact about you? A fun fact about me is that I am not at all a daredevil, but when I was in my fifties I jumped in tandem out of an airplane. I had always wanted to know what it would be like to fly like a bird and that what the closest I could get. I felt like an eagle!
What did you do for a living before you retired? I was a homemaker and still am. When my youngest child was in Junior High I worked retail and worked that until recently.
What do you attribute to living as long as you have? Good genes and being positive about life. Trying to stay active, enjoying life and being happy and blessed with good genes, health and the good example of my mother.
What is your definition of a life well lived? My definition of a life well lived is family and being positive. Taking each day as it comes. Not living in fear and anger.
What is your secret for a happy life? The last words from my husband before he slipped into a coma were "All there is—is love". A happy life is to live in that zone of love, to appreciate all of your surroundings and to be with family and friends.
What has been most instrumental in shaping your life? When I look back, when I was a little child we would go to the movies and they would show newsreels before the movie. A picture of Gandhi showed up. His image always stood in my mind. I didn't really understand what he stood for, but as I grew older and learned his message and teachings they resonated with me. Primarily his message that one is able to protest and to have compassion for those people you are protesting against. His teachings and his message of non-violence have deeply influenced my life.
How are you the same and how are you different than you were earlier in life? I think that my values and my essence are the same as when I was young. My primary value is family and this has remained stable throughout my life. I am different in my ability to see life in a larger perspective and to not be judgmental about people, to not be bound up by fear and anger. Fear and anger keep us from being our best selves. I am different in my ability now to have reached an age where I have the ability to live outside of my head and to not worry. That is a blessing. 99.9% of what I used to worry about was all in my head, it didn't really exist and my worries never materialized.
What about your environment, family and friends best supports you? My immediate environment…I live downstairs in a nice apartment and my son and daughter in law live upstairs in an apartment. I am therefore surrounded by love, which gives me freedom and security. I am supported by being able to watch my grandchildren—who are interested in the global environment and choosing to live their lives productively. This is a blessing, to watch the young people.
What cultural events or technological changes have been the most significant in your lifetime? The most significant change I have experienced in my lifetime is nuclear development. Seeing how it has developed and grown, unfortunately, not for the good of mankind.
What do you wish younger people understood about life? That is a loaded question! I wish younger people understood to just live each day and to be kind to one another. To be able to see people as individuals and to see our differences. To learn about different cultures and to know we are all the same. I wish for younger people to have respect for yourself, to love yourself and to know that you are truly loved.
What is one thing that people shouldn’t worry about? Getting older! It's going to happen. Don't worry! Don't worry about the future or the past. Stay in the moment! There is really nothing worth worrying about.
What is the best advice you ever got? Did you take it? When I was in my forties a friend of mine thought we should go back to school together. I looked into it and didn't do it. I regret that.
What do you enjoy most in life right now? I enjoy a good cup of coffee, a walk, being with family and friends. I take care of my youngest Grandson twice a week and he keeps me young! I enjoy doing my art projects, cooking and living!
What do you look forward to? What's next? I have no idea what is next, but I am going to be open to enjoying it—whatever or whoever comes into my life. But I am not going to join Match.com!
Contributed by: Marcy Israel
MARILYN RUIZ, AGE 75
How old are you? I am 94 years old.
What three things should I know about you? I was born in 1921, Jonesboro Arkansas, an agricultural town. My family was a family of four, consisting of my parents and my brother. We moved a lot until I was in the second grade, because my father had to move the family where he could find work. My father was a structural ironworker and moved my family where there was work.
In 1928 my family moved to Van Nuys, California and I was raised in California up until college years. I went to Carnegie Institute of Technology, CMU, in Pittsburg, on the GI Bill. I went there to get my Masters in Theater Arts.
My father was in the CB’s, Construction Battalions, a branch of the Navy. He was killed in WWII. He served in Guadalcanal and Gilbert’s Islands, located in the South Pacific.
I was in the service, when my father died. My mother was lonely when my brother and I enrolled in WWII, following my father’s footsteps. So she chose to work in a government hospital.
My brother was stationed in Calcutta India, as my wife was before I knew her. I was in the US Coast Guard, which became under the command of the Navy during WWII and I fought the battle of Tarawa in the South Pacific (which was the first time the US Navy had attempted a battle from the sea) and the invasion of Lingayen Gulf in the Philippians.
I grew up wanting to be an actor. So I got my degree in the arts to further my passion, at CMU. I worked as a set designer, art director, and a production designer. As a production designer I was responsible for the visual look of the entire show, i.e. scenery, costumes etc. I worked about 40 years in the show business industry. I worked 8 years as an art director on Gun Smoke, along with Routes One as an art director. I worked for 9 months as a production designer in Japan on Show Gun.
What do you attribute to living as long as you have? I can’t think of any one thing. I think that being able to do what you are interested in for a living is what has given me a long and happy life. We should do what we love!
What is your definition of a life well lived? It is important to be happy and constructive in what you do.
What has been most instrumental in shaping your life? My wife says that she is the most instrumental in shaping my life and I agree.
How are you the same and how are you different than you were earlier in life? As I became older I was more realistic and less dreamy. I’ve become more practical as I have grown up into adulthood and the process of raising and supporting my family.
What about your environment, family and friends best support you? The love and care of my wife and son’s family are what best support me. Also my ability to be independent and live where I choose has given me joy.
What accomplishment are you most proud of? I’m most proud of my successful career and my healthy family. I’m proud of doing what has made me happy in my life.
What cultural events or technological changes have been the most significant in your lifetime? Not any one thing, all the advancements that had an effect on my career were gradually applied, as I developed along with the industry of production.
What do you wish younger people understood about life? In thinking about my grandson, I would hope that he would want to get involved in the act of living by following his passions.
Is there something you wish you had known as a younger person? I always felt that I could do things and thought I was always capable and knew the answers or how to get them.
What is one thing that people shouldn’t worry about? People should not worry about their age.
What is your greatest passion? How has that changed over time? My career.
What do you think about your own mortality? What will be will be. Que sera sera.
Do you experience ageism? I do not experience ageism. I only feel the effects of being older and losing my strengths.
What do you enjoy most in life right now? Being alive and my family.
What do you look forward to? What's next? Doing what I’m doing now.
JOE JENNINGS, AGE 94
How old are you? I am 96 years young and have a smile on my face every day and great attitude about life.
What three things should I know about you? 1) I worked during World War II with Melvin Douglas’ traveling shows entertaining GI’s in India from 1938 to 1940.
2) I was an entertainer, able to dance, act and sing.
3) I was born in New Haven, Connecticut and raised in New York City. I work at 18 years old to help support my family. My father had a hard time keeping a job and supporting our family.
4) Later in life after marriage I got into the antique business in Sherman Oaks.
What is a fun or interesting fact about you? Traveling shows during the war were my passion. I was in charge of a troop of performers. I enjoyed traveling during the war and seeing new places, even though they were tough times. I was happy to be out of New York City, a place that I never really liked living.
What do you attribute to living as long as you have? I always keep a sense of humor about life and find things to smile about.
What is your definition of a life well lived? Family is the key to a life well lived. I am so very proud of my family: my husband, our marriage, my son and daughter in law, and my grandson.
What has been most instrumental in shaping your life? My move to Los Angeles, California was most instrumental. I traveled to L.A. before I knew my husband. I traveled by truck in the late 1940’s. I drove straight to L.A. and in those days I would sleep in the vehicle overnight because I had little money for a hotel. It took two and a half weeks to travel from N.Y. to L.A.
Once in L.A., I was looking for work in entertainment, however work was sparse.
What accomplishment are you most proud of? I am most proud of my family, my husband, son and grandson. I am proud of my involvement in the war with the Red Cross. I also am proud of being in the antique business, which I got involved in because my parents had left me with a lot of things, which helped spark my second career later in life.
What is your secret for a happy life? A secret I have for a happy life is to be willing to smile about tough situations that come your way, and to be able to keep a good attitude about the future.
JEAN JENNINGS, AGE 96
How old are you?
90
I was born on a farm in Overbrook, Kansas. My father during the Depression owned his own farm, and he was very wise in his business management. He and my grandfather and other Democratic friends started a second bank because "they realized that the Republican bank during the Depression did not loan money to people who needed it." Helping others was the way I grew up. I went to college at the University of Kansas. The academic decisions I made then were not what I was interested in but they seemed to be the logical thing to do. John Pfitsch and I were married in 1946. The combination of John and myself produced three absolutely fabulous children. We moved to Midland College, Nebraska and after 2 difficult years there, he was fortunate to get a coaching job at Grinnell College in Iowa in 1948. We moved our family to Grinnell, and he had a successful career coaching at Grinnell for fifty years. I began to teach Spanish in the public schools in 1964, and retired in 1988. We built our house in 1957 in which I still live. John passed away in 2012.
What is your definition of a life well lived? My growing up years were difficult. Life was hard for my parents during the depression and I think that growing up in hard times without modern conveniences has prepared me to be appreciative. It taught me to not have great expectations and wishing for things that I don't have. I don't need stuff. My family was loving and very reinforcing as I grew up and got married and had my own life. I always felt a lot of love and appreciation from my own family.
What is the accomplishment you are most proud of? My home and my family. I will say that I believe that my inspiration to create a comfortable home [is something I am most proud of.] I drew the plans for this house and I have remodeled it several times through the years. At each stage I felt a lot of success, so that the family, everyone of them loved to come back here for gatherings in the summer and at Christmas. It is extremely rewarding for me to have the family come here and be together. If I want to take credit as the main person that made this happen, I would do that.
What do you attribute to living as long as you have? I believe that early in life I began to appreciate healthy living. I started exercising seriously when I was in my forties and realized that walking up the stairs made me out of breath. I realized that I was allowing myself not to be fit. At that time I started jogging and exercising. Five days a week was the way I started out. I keep exercising, maintain a healthy diet and watch my weight. Especially with this business of breaking my hip, I was reinforced by the professionals that were dealing with me. They were so surprised at how fit I was at my age.
What do you wish younger people understood about life? This is really difficulty because in my own experience with my children and some of my students, I have always felt that I learned more from them than they learned from me.
What has been most instrumental in shaping your life? I believe that at every age I know that I have been very interested in and determined to learn. for example when Bill, my youngest son started pre-school, I immediately looked at the college course offering and determined course that I could audit at the college and scheduled when I was free. I audited classes and then I started taking classes for credit. I learned Spanish and got my teaching certificate. I benefited a great deal from always trying to plug into opportunities for learning. And being very very lucky that John got this job at Grinnell College.
What do you look forward to? What's next? That's hard. I guess I look forward to maintaining the relationships with family and friends and hopefully being able to continue on. I hope I don't live too long. I definitely hope that I continue to be well physically and mentally for the rest of my life.
What is your secret for living a Life Well Lived? I don't think there's a secret. It's right out there. Luck. And making good decisions along the way.
EMILY PFITSCH, AGE 90
What is your secret for living a Life Well Lived?
It is important that we live the life we do have and make the best out of what we have. We must adapt constantly, be flexible and understanding. I know there are no guaranties in life, and I am accepting of others without trying to ever change them.
What do you wish younger people understood about life? That they can learn so much from their elders if they would only take time to listen. It is much better than thinking they have all the answers. The need to be open to other people's ideas, suggestions, instead of learning the hard way, i.e. from their own mistakes.
VERA FOSS, AGE 63
What is your definition of a life well lived? A life well lived to me is one of purpose. A life you can look back on and say, "I made a difference in this world, as small as it may have been."
What has been most instrumental in shaping your life? My dad and his love of animals, nature and his zest and appreciation of life.
How do you feel about your own mortality? I have questions that have not been answered such as will I really cross the Rainbow Bridge and see all the animals I have loved in life.
PHYLLIS MEYERS, AGE 85
Holocaust survivor, Harold Minuskin, was born in 1938 in Zhetel, Poland, now part of Belarus. He was three years old when the Germans invaded his predominately Jewish town with the intent to kill all Jewish citizens. Harold and his mother, father and younger brother survived by escaping into the Belorussian forests where they joined up with the Jewish Partisan resistance fighters. For almost three years they were hunted and lived in fear, without adequate food, shelter, medicine, or clothing. After the war, they traveled through Europe to a Displaced Persons camp in Germany run by the American Red Cross. They immigrated to the USA in 1946. Harold grew up in the Bronx and went on to obtain a BS and MS in engineering, and a successful career in aerospace and state-of-the-art space science.
Harold now serves as ‘his mother’s voice’ through his self-published book, "My Children, My Heroes – Memoirs of a Holocaust Mother," and his continued presentations to students from middle schools through university levels, plus others, retelling his family’s remarkable WWII survival story with the Jewish Partisans. Please see website for more information and photos: www.holocaust-memoirs.webnode.com
What is your definition of a life well lived? In my case, a l life well lived became a lesson on how to overcome adversity, even when the odds are stacked against you.
I have lived the “American Dream.” At the age of eight, I arrived in the United States without knowing its language or culture. Through the efforts and encouragement of my parents, I worked hard and received a higher education and went on to a successful career as an electrical engineer. Since retirement, I have shared my family’s life story with, to date, over 10,000 Arizona students and educators. I also speak before business and religious organizations.
What is your secret for living a Life Well Lived? Enjoy every hour and every day. Enjoy your family and friends; it’s never too late to make new friends. Don’t let life’s adversities stop you. And keep learning.
What is the accomplishment you are most proud of? I am fortunate to be able to continue to tell the story of my mother’s perseverance, courage and fortitude that kept my younger brother and me alive during the Nazi’s attempt to murder every Jew in our small Belorussian village. Sharing this story with the next generation is my goal so that when the witnesses to WWII are gone, these students can continue telling the history of the brave partisans who fought back.
I have documented the stories of the Jewish partisans in two self-published books. One book contains my translation from Yiddish to English of my mother's wartime experiences and includes my own memories. The other book is by my cousin, with my translations and annotations. He was a 12-year-old spy for the Jewish Partisans.