Living to 100 or beyond used to be extraordinarily rare, if not unheard of. As of 2020, however, more than 89,000 Americans have reached 100 years old or more, according to the U.S. Census—an increase of about 50 percent since 2010. We asked one of Westchester’s oldest residents, Mabel Atkinson, a former nurse who celebrated her 106th birthday in November, for her perspective on leading a (really) long and healthy life.
Tell us your stay-healthy secrets.
I go from one bridge table to the next and walk around the apartment complex for about half an hour when I think of it. [When I was younger] I played volleyball and raced with neighborhood kids down the sidewalk. We didn’t have too many organized sports at that time. I walked long distances to school and church since we had no car and no buses available. Nursing was a very active job for me physically. I was going from patient to patient and assisting doctors when I was working in the clinic.
We hear you still live alone.
I do live alone but have the assistance of an aide every day. My daughters visit me daily as they both live here in the same co-op, just in different buildings. They are 86 and 84.
Have you followed a particular diet?
I’ve basically been eating the same foods all these years, unless I eat out in an Italian or Chinese restaurant. [I love] peach pies and sweets and desserts. And sweet iced tea. I prepare my own breakfast—cereal with milk and bananas. My aide prepares my lunch and dinner before she leaves, and I just heat it. My daughters make dinners occasionally, mostly on weekends—spaghetti, mac ’n’ cheese, chicken soup, spareribs, fried chicken, and meat loaf. The only vitamin supplement I take is B12. I drank alcohol only on special occasions like parties and wedding receptions. I never smoked.
Does your family have a legacy of longevity?
My oldest sister passed away at 106 and my middle sister passed away at 91. My mother passed away at age 80. My husband passed away in 2002 in his 80s. I have one longtime friend who is alive… I am lucky that my three adult children, four grandchildren, and 11 great-grandchildren, don’t live too far away. They live in Bridgeport and Greenwich and Norwalk, Connecticut, close by in Hastings-on-Hudson, and in Brooklyn.
You retired 40 years ago. How have you kept busy?
I was just living my life traveling. I went on lots of cruises and I did get to Italy, Spain, and Portugal. I attended the Elmsford Dinner Theatre and an occasional play in New York City, and I have been active in my church. I love to read—I’m in two book clubs. I always liked cards [so] I took [evening] classes at Mamaroneck High School to learn bridge. I still go out to play my favorite games, bridge and poker.
Did you think you would live to be over 100?
I never really gave it much thought.
What’s your advice for longevity?
Just keep taking each day as it comes and make something out of it. I’ve been very, very happy and very satisfied with life.
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