Reaching a century is a milestone, and for Nina Willmore, a resident at Spring Oak at Berlin Assisted Living, that birthday became a community celebration.
To mark the occasion of her 100th year, the staff invited friends, family and members of the community to send Willmore birthday cards. She got dozens of responses, not only from the Berlin area, but also from residents and team members at Spring Oak communities in New Jersey, Virginia and South Carolina.
“I didn’t know turning 100 was such a big accomplishment until everyone made a big deal of it here,” Willmore said of her current residence.
The celebration included cake and decorations as Spring Oak staff gathered to honor Willmore’s centennial. Stories were shared and hugs exchanged.
Willmore was born and raised in Mulkeytown, Illinois, and attended Southern Illinois University and the University of Illinois. She fondly recalls growing up on a farm surrounded by animals and playing the bass horn in her high-school band.
Willmore met her husband James in college. She offered party-goers a simple yet meaningful piece of advice about relationships: “Give kindness. Treat each other fairly.”
While the past 100 years has seen incredible changes in the world, particularly in technology, Willmore cherishes her greatest accomplishments: raising her two daughters, Linda Jo and Martha Jane. Her favorite hobbies include sewing; reading; crocheting; crafting; and especially cooking, a tradition she loved for Thanksgiving celebrations.
Willimore advises younger generations to “Get all the education you can!”
And she noted the generosity of the Spring Oak community in helping her celebrate 100.
“Oh, the parties, the cards, the gifts and balloons,” she exclaimed.
