Ethel Betterly celebrates 100th birthday

WARWICK — When Ethel Betterly, a longtime registrant in the Day-At-A-Time Adult Day Care Program at Schervier Pavilion, was born, the average life expectancy was just short of 49 years. Betterly recently had the honor of being the first in her Day Care group to celebrate a 100th birthday. “Ethel has always demonstrated her pleasant personality and friendliness to all the other registrants and to our staff,” said Theresa Casey, RN, director of the program. “Everyone is thrilled that she could celebrate this important birthday right here with her family, her friends in the day care program and our staff.” Betterly, a former resident of Greenpoint and Monroe, was born in New York City. Her husband, Lester, passed away in 1964 and Betterly now lives in Port Jervis, with her daughter, Leslie Friend, and her daughter’s husband, Joseph. She has her own DVD player, enjoys watching movies and keeps up with current events. On March 19, 1907, the day that Betterly was born, Theodore Roosevelt was in his second term as president of the United States. Four years before her birth, the Wright Brothers had demonstrated that a machine could fly. Automobiles were no longer a passing novelty, but most people still traveled by horse and carriage. In her lifetime she has seen amazing developments in technology, but from Betterly’s viewpoint, the most useful invention was the washing machine. “I had nine children,” she said, smiling. When asked about the best thing that ever happened in her life, Betterly quickly responded, “I have a beautiful family.” She is very proud of her 23 grandchildren, 43 great grandchildren and 11 great-great grandchildren. “Their voices are music to my ears.” Although she eats yogurt and drinks Mongosteen juice every day, Betterly believes there is no natural explanation for her longevity. “It came from God,” she said. “People need God, so we can all have peace.” Although it may still seem rare, the fastest growing segment of the population is actually people who have reached the age of 100 and beyond. For those who choose to live at home, however, Schervier Pavilion offers Day-At-A-Time, an innovative medical adult day care program that provides nursing services, medication administration, ongoing evaluations, and stimulating activities tailored to each individual’s needs and abilities. “Day at a time,” explained Casey, “is a community based program that provides comprehensive health care services in a friendly group setting. We invite anyone who may be interested to come and spend a complimentary day with us.” Anyone interested in learning more about Day-At-A-Time can call 987-5764 or visit www.StAnthonyCommunityHosp.org.