It was a festive day at Gardens at Juanita Bay senior community Feb. 6, with Kirkland resident, Mary Fowler, celebrating her 100th birthday.

According to Office Manager Monika Carrillo, “Mary has been enjoying her retired life at the community for the past 33 years! Her jovial demeanor and active lifestyle is certainly a testament to longevity.”

She sat talking about her early life experiences learning the violin and being raised as the daughter of a Nebraskan veterinarian.

“Dad would always take us kids with him on calls to neighboring farms,” she recalled.

During her childhood the family moved to a Canadian farm where she remembers chopping wood and riding horses. She later moved to Seattle, where she worked for two years as a secretary, met her husband and became a homemaker. She has fond memories of attending the theatre with her husband.

Gardens at Juanita Bay celebrated “Mary’s Day” by serving her favorite meals throughout the day. Eggs Benedict for breakfast, a long-standing lunch favorite of grilled cheese sandwiches and tomato soup and a wide array of luscious chocolate items filled the dessert bar. Musical serenades were given by John Frost, administrator, who sang, “Young at Heart,” and by good friend and Culinary Services Manager, Jeff Woistman, who sang her favorite tune “By and By.”

When asked about the past 33 years, she said this is her home where she has made many happy memories with old friends. Today, Mary has five generations of family members that enjoy visiting. With family and friends cheering her on she made her birthday wish.