Have you ever wondered what it would be like to live past 100 years old? Imagine the changes you have seen during your lifetime.
Betty Rumar, at the Valley Inn in Mancos, turned 103 in December. She was born in 1907 on Dec. 26 in Independence, Mo. Shes been widowed a long time, and loves her privacy.
She traveled around a lot when she was younger and lived for many years in Brentwood and Santa Monica, Calif. She moved to Palm Desert, Calif., to be close to her son, and then ended up in the Denver area until she came to the Valley Inn.
What is her secret for a long life?
It must be genetics, said her daughter, Joann Sullivan of Durango. She never ate vegetables as a little girl and had a real sweet tooth.
Rumar spent some time in her 40s and 50s eating lots of health foods, vitamins and green drinks, but shes back to eating whatever she wants to, Sullivan said.
She loves pancakes for breakfast, and seldom eats dinner, her daughter said.
Sometimes Rumar will have bacon, eggs and coffee along with her pancakes.
Rumar has long, dainty fingers, beautiful white hair and sharp eyes.
She also loves chocolate, she said as she enjoyed a piece that her daughter gave her.
Rumar has only been at the Valley Inn for a few years, since she was 99 years old. She lived at an assisted living facility in Lakewood, near Denver, and then her daughter brought her here in order for her to receive more care.
She doesnt hear well, and she loves her privacy, Sullivan said.
Rumar has no health problems at all, hears fine over the phone, and walks just great with a walker.
Shes never broken anything and isnt on any medicine, Sullivan said.
So, other than a little bit of short-term memory loss and a hearing problem, Rumar is doing fine.
For Rumars 103rd birthday celebration, balloons and champagne were brought to the Valley Inn, Sullivan said.
She doesnt really like acknowledgment or parties, her daughter said. So when it was time for her to join the party, she said to me, Do you think you can tell them you cant find me? But she had a great time, anyway!
Rumar likes the Valley Inn but hasnt made too many friends because of her hearing problem, Sullivan said.
She refuses to get hearing aids, but thats her choice, Sullivan said.