By Natalie MAIER

Mountview Retirement and Assisted Living Community resident Elly Jurgenson celebrated her 100th birthday on Jan. 9. She had plenty of friends and family visit her throughout the week, bringing her flowers and balloons in tribute of reaching the milestone.

Jurgenson’s family moved to New York City from Thüringen, Germany when she was 13. She married her late husband Herbert in 1935 and they enjoyed traveling the world together to places such as China, Japan, Australia, Chile and France.

Jurgenson has three grandchildren and eight great grandchildren. She has been a resident of Mountview Retirement home for about two and a half years.

“She is very physically strong; she can do anything,” said caretaker Shawn Fitzpatrick. According Fitzpatrick, Jurgenson is able to participate in chair exercises, using stretch bands that help with mobility.

When asked what it feels like to turn triple digits, Jurgenson replied that it is wonderful if you are healthy.

  Elly JURGENSON, Natalie MAIER