SALT LAKE CITY -- A hundred years ago, the average life expectancy was just 50 years, but a celebration held Friday honored those Utahns who went well beyond that and have seen for themselves a century of stories.
Nora Delpiaz, 102, was one Utahn honored at the event.
“Taking one day at a time, trying to take care of my health,” she said.
What’s the secret to longevity? Who better to ask than Utah's oldest residents.
“I say just good, clean living and hard work,” said 104-year-old Louise Calder.
Members of perhaps one of the most exclusive clubs gathered at the governor’s 27th annual Centenarians Day Celebration.
“To take that much time to be with us, I think that`s just wonderful,” Delpiaz said of the event.
The room was filled with family and friends, but the centenarians could be identified by the bright flowers they all wore on their shirts and the advice they had to offer.
Alfred Kessler said the secret to living a long and happy life is learning to endure hardships.
“By having them you appreciate the other benefits,” he said.
This was Calder's fourth Centenarians Day Celebration. At 104 years young, she still believes time is precious.
“Have as much as you can and enjoy as much as you can because life’s pretty short, for a lot of people,” she said.
It’s believed that 112 centenarians live in Utah. About 40 came to Friday’s event.
