She owes her 104 years to a 76-year marriage

The Niles resident credits luck for her longevity.

By ANGIE SCHMITT

VINDICATOR STAFF WRITER

NILES — She’s all but lost her vision, and what remains of her voice is a breathy whisper. But, as Sara Duff turns 104 today, her mind is still sharp.

Ask her about World War I, the Depression, or losing her husband of 76 years, and she’ll respond with a feminine exclamation, like a lady over tea.

“Oh, yes ...”

She remembers, sometimes with a smile, sometimes with a faraway look. So that you know, the memory — of her friends being drafted, or making do without sugar and potatoes, or moving, newly widowed, to a single unit at Shepherd of the Valley nursing home — is still fresh.

Shepherd nurse Jana Collins says she can tell Duff is excited about the party they are planning for her this afternoon. And sure enough, she smiles at the mention of it. Her smile is broad, where teeth fail to intervene, but it’s warm, infectious.

For her corsage, “she said she wanted pink,” Collins said. “So I got her two pink roses.”

Also at Duff’s request, the staff picked out a yellow cake. She’ll share it with her neighbors over lunch in the cafeteria, like she did last year.

Born in 1903

Duff is the only resident to have survived more than 100 birthdays, Collins said. She was born May 18, 1903. She graduated from Niles High School in 1922.

She is currently Shepherd of the Valley-Niles’ oldest resident, but she’s not the oldest they’ve ever had. She’s been in and out of the facility for almost 20 years, said Collins.

“She’s alert, she’s happy, she has lots of friends,” Collins said.

According to Guinness World Records, the oldest woman living in the United States is 114-year-old Edna Parker of Shelbyville, Ind.

A lifelong Niles resident, Duff always wanted to be a nurse. But her family couldn’t afford the tuition for nursing school, she said. Instead she worked at Higleys Green House on Robbins Avenue, arranging and selling flowers.

“I wish I could turn back the clock,” she said, adding she’d return to work at the greenhouse.

Duff’s hearing and vision trouble keep her from many of the facility’s social events. She likes watching the “Lawrence Welk Show” and looks forward to visits from her nephew.

Married 76 years

It was only seven years ago that her husband, Charlie Duff, passed away. They were married 76 years — a fact to which she has attributed her remarkable longevity.

Her proudest moment, Duff said, was when they celebrated their “diamond” anniversary, or 75 years. The secret to their happiness was honesty, she said.

Duff said she doesn’t know why she’s outlasted not only her husband, but her son and grandson.

“I don’t have any secret,” she said. “I think I’ve been lucky.”

aschmitt@vindy.com