SARASOTA, Fla. — After accumulating many memorable years, one Sarasota senior is marking a big day as she turns 100.
Margaret Lutz's senior living community, Brooksdale Philippi Creek, celebrated her in a big way on Wednesday with a birthday party.
Lutz, the latest centenarian, shared the secrets to her long 100 years of life and about the foundation blocks that kept her solidly rooted.
Lutz was born on May 8, 1924, at the tail-end of "The Greatest Generation" and in the middle of the Roaring 20s. For her special day, the Sarasota great-grandmother had just one wish.
"I want my family all to be here which most of them are," she said.
Along with her family and friends, Lutz took a trip down memory lane to a love story that began in her birthplace of Boonville, Indiana.
"Sam and I decided to get married. We were married in our church and he didn't have a very good job so he was drafted into the Air Force and I was allowed to go with him and we enjoyed that," she said.
Lutz said she was very active in her church, and even though she was primarily a housewife, she worked at the church as a secretary. She and her husband would also sponsor a youth group of 25 teens and college-age young adults. The group would go on camping trips and even got a visit from the late renowned evangelist Billy Graham, Lutz shared. She said she also loved cooking.
"We had lots of fun at our home, having holidays and gatherings at our house. Our door was always open and we cared about people," she said.
Lutz said she did not have one thing, in particular, to classify as her secret for making it to the grand old age of 100.
"I don't have a secret. I'm trying to live a good life and I've tried to be a good wife and I've tried to be a good mother and that was my goal," she said.
Lutz believes that she has very much achieved those goals that she had set out for herself from her early years.
"My children all went to college and had a good career. One was an accountant and one was a school teacher. I don't have a long education but I have educated two children so I'm pleased with what I have accomplished," she said.
Now she enjoys the company of her friends at the residence and making many more new friends.
"I have a few pals around here. I love them dearly and I can't name everyone because I will hurt somebody's feelings, but they've been so good to me," Lutz said.
Lutz said her best advice for the next generation is to be strong and solid in their faith. She also advised them to have a loving attitude and genuine care for others to get far along on the journey of life.
Lutz has three grandchildren and seven great-grandchildren and still stays active with her church.