Give the lady some space, please.

That’s probably what Ruth Hamby would have told the crowd of 50 that was gathered at Emeritus at Kirkland on Oct. 20 to celebrate her 105th birthday.

But for a moment, the woman who is known for talking and telling it like it is was temporarily speechless. Perhaps she was overwhelmed by her birthday surprise.

Bill Fenner, executive director of the retirement facility, held a microphone up to a cell phone so Hamby could hear the man talking. Mayor Michael W. Seiber of Earlington, Ky. – Hamby’s hometown – wished her a happy birthday and proclaimed Oct. 20 as “Ruth Hamby Day” from that day forward.

Kirkland’s Deputy Mayor Penny Sweet also wished the woman well on behalf of the city during the event.

“Any words of wisdom?” Fenner asked Hamby.

And then the words came and the crowd listened as though Hamby was reciting the winning lottery numbers.

“Keep busy,” she said.

“Enjoy life and be kind to others.”

“My mother always said shape up because if you look nice, you’ll feel nice.”

“We were taught right is right and wrong is very wrong.”

Born Oct. 20, 1906, Hamby grew up in the small Kentucky town as the oldest of four. She married her hometown sweetheart, Earl, in 1927. The couple bought their first house for $200 and later moved to Vancouver, Wash., where Earl got a job at the Kaiser shipyards in 1941. Hamby helped christen one of the naval war ships that was built there.

When she was 40 and ready to adopt a child after having difficulty conceiving, she finally became pregnant with her only son, Jack.

Jack, who was at the event with his wife, Carolyn, was amazed at the City of Earlington proclamation in honor of his mother.

“That’s really neat mom. I’ll be darned,” he said.

What did he think about his mother turning 105?

“I’d say it surprises us, but I’m not so sure it does anymore,” he laughed, recalling his mom’s splendid banana cream pies and spoon bread.

During the event, Hamby asked Jack to tell her “beautiful grandchildren” that she loves them. She also spoke about her grandson’s wedding that she got to attend a few weeks ago.

“There’s nothing that makes you happier than a happy, married life,” she said, adding love is most important. “No love is ever wasted. Every bit of love that you show is reflected in others and it makes the world a better place to live.”

Black and white photos displayed throughout the lobby showed Hamby throughout her life: Hamby, a smiling seven- year-old and at sweet 16; Hamby with her infant son; and another photo of her and late husband, Earl, looking out over the location of the soon-to-be constructed Grand Coulee Dam.

In many of the photos, Hamby wore lovely hats.

“She’s always dolled up like this every day,” said Merna Strassner, a resident at Emeritus. “She puts me to shame. She’s a doll, you know.”

Millie Watts met Hamby four years ago when she was visiting a friend at the facility.

“Here’s what she said to me: ‘You know, I’m so surprised that I’m still here,” said Watts. “I said, ‘yes, this is a nice facility.’ And Ruth said, ‘No, I mean to be alive – I’m over 100.’ That just captivated my heart.”

Resident Barbara Lovett will be 100 this July and says Hamby is her inspiration.

“That’s my goal to get her age and maybe surpass it by a year,” said Lovett. “She’s been my goal all these years.”

More information

For more coverage of Ruth Hamby’s birthday celebration, watch Kirkland TV on channels 21 (Comcast) and 31 (Frontier).