105-year-old woman loves bacon grease on toast
SEQUIM, Wash. - Helen Marie Gamroth will celebrate her 105th birthday with family and friends at Carrie Blake Park on Sunday.
Thirty to 35 people are expected to attend the low-key celebration, said Gamroth's daughter-in-law, Pepper Gamroth.
"She doesn't know what all the fuss is about," Pepper Gamroth said.
Sequim Mayor Pro-Tem Laura Dubois will present a proclamation from the city recognizing Helen Gamroth's longevity.
The family has received similar letters from President Barack Obama, Gov. Chris Gregoire and actress Betty White, Pepper Gamroth said.
Musician Carlos Xavier and juggler-magician Jaye Butler are scheduled to perform at the picnic, which is one day after her real birthday on Saturday.
"It will be fun and low-key," Pepper Gamroth said. "She is in brilliant health, her mind is sharp, but she is 105, and she can get overwhelmed."
Helen Gamroth lived in Wisconsin before moving to Sequim in 2004 to live with her son, Neil, and Pepper after a serious fall.
About a year ago, Helen moved to Sequim Health and Rehab Center. There, she starting doing physical therapy - the first time that she has exercised on a regular basis.
"She would put bacon grease on toast," Pepper Gamroth said.
"You can't serve her food without the salt shaker. ... She exercises like crazy now for the first time in her life."
Helen Gamroth keeps her mind sharp by reading books and doing crossword puzzles. She reads so fast that Pepper Gamroth struggles to keep enough books in stock.
Helen Gamroth's case is part of a centenarian study at the Boston University, Pepper Gamroth said. Several people in her German-Polish family have lived to be 100, which piqued the interest of the scientists.
"My guess is the genes have got a lot of do with it, based on circumstantial evidence at this point that seems to lead to that," Neil Gamroth said.
When Helen Gamroth missed four questions on a 50-question quiz for the study, "it bugged her to no end," Pepper Gamroth recalled. Helen called the researchers back within hours to report the correct answers.
Based on their conversations with doctors and nurses, the Gamroths believe that Helen is the oldest person in the Sequim area, Neil Gamroth said.
Helen has three children, six grandchildren and seven great-grandchildren.
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The Peninsula Daily News is a media partner of KOMO News. Read the original Daily news story.
Thirty to 35 people are expected to attend the low-key celebration, said Gamroth's daughter-in-law, Pepper Gamroth.
"She doesn't know what all the fuss is about," Pepper Gamroth said.
Sequim Mayor Pro-Tem Laura Dubois will present a proclamation from the city recognizing Helen Gamroth's longevity.
The family has received similar letters from President Barack Obama, Gov. Chris Gregoire and actress Betty White, Pepper Gamroth said.
Musician Carlos Xavier and juggler-magician Jaye Butler are scheduled to perform at the picnic, which is one day after her real birthday on Saturday.
"It will be fun and low-key," Pepper Gamroth said. "She is in brilliant health, her mind is sharp, but she is 105, and she can get overwhelmed."
Helen Gamroth lived in Wisconsin before moving to Sequim in 2004 to live with her son, Neil, and Pepper after a serious fall.
About a year ago, Helen moved to Sequim Health and Rehab Center. There, she starting doing physical therapy - the first time that she has exercised on a regular basis.
"She would put bacon grease on toast," Pepper Gamroth said.
"You can't serve her food without the salt shaker. ... She exercises like crazy now for the first time in her life."
Helen Gamroth keeps her mind sharp by reading books and doing crossword puzzles. She reads so fast that Pepper Gamroth struggles to keep enough books in stock.
Helen Gamroth's case is part of a centenarian study at the Boston University, Pepper Gamroth said. Several people in her German-Polish family have lived to be 100, which piqued the interest of the scientists.
"My guess is the genes have got a lot of do with it, based on circumstantial evidence at this point that seems to lead to that," Neil Gamroth said.
When Helen Gamroth missed four questions on a 50-question quiz for the study, "it bugged her to no end," Pepper Gamroth recalled. Helen called the researchers back within hours to report the correct answers.
Based on their conversations with doctors and nurses, the Gamroths believe that Helen is the oldest person in the Sequim area, Neil Gamroth said.
Helen has three children, six grandchildren and seven great-grandchildren.
-----
The Peninsula Daily News is a media partner of KOMO News. Read the original Daily news story.