Columbia Falls woman celebrates 102nd birthday
<p>Margaret Cripe lives at Hidden Meadow Memory Care in Columbia Falls. On Sunday she celebrated her 102nd birthday. </p>
What does a person do to celebrate turning 102 years old?
If you’re Margaret Cripe at Hidden Meadow Memory Care in Columbia Falls, you win game after game of bingo, and woe be to those reporters who interrupt you.
Cripe retains all of the personality and spunk that have gotten her to 102-years.
Her secret to living so long is a simple one, however.
“Yoga,” she said. “I was a former yoga teacher and that kept me healthy.”
Born in Goshen, Indiana, on Aug. 27, 1913, Cripe worked as a secretary and yoga teacher for years.
She married but never had children. Her hobbies included golfing and she still takes walks around the memory care facility.
Other tips to longevity include taking vitamins and enjoying a glass of red wine most nights.
Cripe has been at Hidden Meadow since the facility opened, and one of the caretakers at the facility, Don Hopkins, said she has more energy and drive than many of the younger patients.
She sometimes goes to garage sales and dominates at bingo at the memory care home.
Cripe celebrated her birthday by going out to dinner with the owners of Hidden Meadow. She passed along some sage advice from someone who has lived so long:
“I always have a good day. My secret to living so long is just to keep living. Don’t worry.”
Reporter Ryan Murray may be reached at 758-4436 or by email at rmurray@dailyinterlake.com.