'Enjoy Every Minute Of It:' Wheaton Woman Celebrates 100 Years

WHEATON, IL — When I asked Gertrude Vargyas where to find the Fountain of Youth, she told me she's always liked vodka tonics. It was then that I knew we'd be friends. Gertrude, who turned 100 Wednesday, looked 20 years younger than the century she's lived. Her secret to looking young? "No coffee, no beer, no cigarettes!" she said.

Gertrude, who lived in South Bend, Indiana, and has family in Wheaton and Naperville, was treated to a surprise 100th birthday party courtesy of the staff at her home, Brighton Gardens. Gertrude said the party was the "best party [she's] had in [her] whole life”

After the cake, balloons, and festivities, the ever-active Gertrude went on a birthday shopping spree.

With 100 years under your belt, you've got lots of memories, but Gertrude said her favorite memory was watching her husband, Frank, play the violin in his band.

Frank's shows took Gertrude across the country to Florida and California, but she's never left the United States, she says.

The only regret she's mentioned in her life is not learning how to play an instrument. She loves the piano music she hears at Brighton Gardens, she says, a reminder of her love for Frank's big band tunes.

Gertrude's life is happy, surrounded by her grandchildren, great-grandchildren, and her son, Paul. Paul takes her to dinner every week, she says. She also fondly mentions her late son Darryl, who died of leukemia at 51.

When it comes to enjoying 100 years on earth, Gertrude says the trick is "having a lot of family and enjoying every minute if it."

Here's to Gertrude's milestone and many more years of enjoying every minute of it.

Images courtesy of Brighton Gardens