Joey Witherspoon, KUUF Office Assistant interviewed KUUF’s four nonagenarians (people who are between 90-99 years old).
What brought you to KUUF?
Nancy: I was 17 and I was looking for a church and I went to the various churches in my town and each time I’d come out and say ‘nope’. And then one day passed and a boy in school said, “there’s this sensible church you might want to try.” So I tried the sensible church that was right across the street and I said ‘Yep.’
And it was a UU church?
Nancy: It was a UU Church and that was it I never looked anywhere else ever again.
What brought you to KUUF in specific?
Nancy: Well I moved here 11 years ago, and I didn’t know anyone in town except my son. But I knew if I went to church, I’d soon meet new people. So, I started coming to church and I made up my mind that I would learn one name and so I did that for about six weeks or so and then I had some names. And after that I didn’t have to do that anymore. And I now have friends and some years later my son moved down to Tacoma and he said, “do you want to move down here with me?” And I said, “well, I don’t want to leave my friends here” and I had to decide between where he was and where I had a whole group of friends and I decided to stay here. He comes to see me on Saturdays.
Do you have a favorite memory of your life?
Nancy: My life? Oh gosh. I’m Ninety years old so it’s a long life. Well, one that comes to mind, a time when I was in my teens I’d been living in California with my mother, She put us on a train. Me and two of my sisters to go back east to my father. When we got there my dad was there with a Pony cart and he might as well had a brass band. It was such a welcome. We got off and there’s my dad with a big smile and the pony cart and we got in the cart and we drove home in the pony cart.
Why do you think you have lived to this age?
Nancy: Well, I’ve taken pretty good care of myself reasonably good and other than that just dumb luck.
What did you do for a career?
Nancy: I was a social worker. I got my degree when I was 40. Before that I was a secretary. I’ve been a secretary for a very long time, I’m a very good typist. And then I got my degree and I went to work as a social worker and I worked in Hospice mostly. 8 years I was there. A hospice social worker and other things too but the eight years was the main one.
What are now or have been some of your best talents or achievements?
Nancy: Well, I’m a very good listener. As a social worker that’s something you need to do and I just seem to naturally be able to do it. I’m Patient and uh- achievements- Well, getting my degree when I was forty years old took a while. Took me something like 11 years to get my degree because I did it little by little. That was a big achievement and then to go on and get my Master’s degree too. So, the day I graduated with my Master’s was a big celebration. Well, it wasn’t something I did really, I’m the oldest of a large family. I have six sisters so I’m the oldest of the bunch and I’ve been a good big sister. I have. I’ve taken that responsibility seriously. And I raised two children and they turned out okay.
What's the most surprising change in our country's history that has occurred in your lifetime?
Nancy: I think the most surprising one is that Women finally got some recognition, some appreciation, some opportunities. Being a woman is better now because there’s more opportunity.
What events or projects at KUUF do you like to take part in?
Nancy: Chalice circle. I’ve always been interested in the chalice circles since I first came. One time with Carolee I was organizing all the chalice circles. We spent a lot of time on that. Now I just belong to a chalice circle. That’s been the main thing that I’ve done beyond coming to church. I pretty much come every week. Unless I’m sick I’ll be here.
Who or what has had the biggest impact in your life?
Nancy: My father. Absolutely my father. My father was a wise man. And to this day every now and then I know that something comes up and I think of how he did handle it if it’s a recurring thing or would handle it. I appreciate his wisdom more the older I get. I’ve always been particularly fond of my father. But, of course he’s been gone for many years now. It seems like, as time goes on, I come to appreciate him more and more. So for one thing he’s the one got me reading. He threw books at me from a young age and He was always reading himself. He ran a bar which meant he was on his feet all the time. So when he wasn’t on his feet he was in a chair with his feet up reading. So I had that example and reading, of course, has been a great pleasure in my life.
What is one piece of knowledge would you consider indispensable?
Nancy: Be flexible. One must be flexible in this world. Not too flexible, but flexible enough because things change, bend but don’t break. That’s been a very important thing to do. I’ve lived a long life with many changes, many ups and downs, ins and outs, comings and goings and being flexible has been really helpful