PEABODY ― Living a long life is a goal for many and these five centenarians are not only reaching that goal, but going beyond it.
On Monday, the Harriett and Ralph Kaplan Estates celebrated five of their assisted-living residents. They are all members of the Kaplan Century Club, a group exclusive to individuals 100 years of age and older.
Residents include Thelma Taylore, who is 100 years old; Marty Lawson, Kay Morocco, and Leon Ditchek, all 101; and lastly, Rose Regis, who is 107.
“We had a special lunch with just the five of them, but then I thought for the rest of residents to celebrate them is very important,” Director of Residential Life Ellen Gordon said. “The most amazing thing for our residents that turned 100 is that they are incredible, they participated in everything, they are inspirational to everyone.”
According to the Population Reference Bureau ― a nonpartisan research organization ― the number of centenarians, or people aged 100 years or older, have increased from around 32,000 in 1980 to more than 53,000 by 2010. In 2020, it was projected that the older adult population could include 92,000 centenarians, and the number could increase to nearly 600,000 by 2060.
According to the United States Census Bureau, the 2010 census counted 53,364 people aged 100 and older in the United States, and they were overwhelmingly female. For every 100 centenarian women, there were only 20.7 centenarian men.
Regis, of Canton, is the oldest of the bunch. She moved to the city, where she lived until she moved into the Kaplan Estates, and has a large family with three great-great-grandchildren whom she loves dearly.
“My secret is simple, to just keep breathing and keep busy,” Regis said.
“Rose turned 107 this weekend,” Gordon said. “What I have learned from her is that you have to do what’s right for you and not to worry about anything else. Do what’s right for you. ”
Morocco, of Salem, is Regis’s best friend. They both were neighbors in Peabody and decided to move to the Kaplan Estates. Morocco is a very active resident and is far from slowing down.
“My mother lived to be 94 and her mother lived to be 94, so I expected to live until then, but I went way over the age and I am now 101,” said Morocco. “You see, that’s amazing, so I count my blessings and try to do whatever I can whenever I can.”
“Life is good if you are feeling good,” she added.
“Thelma participates in almost everything,” Gordon said of Taylore. “It’s unbelievable and inspirational.”
Taylore, of Manchester, New Hampshire, is the newest member of the Kaplan’s Century Club. She said her favorite thing is to just be with people. During the worst of the COVID-19 pandemic, it was difficult to stay social, she said, but Taylore stays committed to visiting friends as much as possible.
“Between 1921 and 2021, there is not much difference,” Taylore said with a laugh. “I am surprised to see so many of us have reached 100.”
“Talk about inspiration ― up until a few years ago, just before the pandemic, she moved here and was volunteering at the Senior Center where she volunteered for decades,” said Gordon. “In fact, their van has her picture. She is really beloved by this city.”
Lawson, of Springfield, Mass, enjoys a series of activities, but currently, his favorite is sleeping.
“My favorite thing right now is to sleep,” Lawson joked. “But beyond that, I love to read and do puzzles.”
Lawson used to run a photography-supply business for stores in New England, which has been passed down from generation to generation. This was a very fun and interesting point in Lawson’s life.
“He volunteered in a preschool as a teacher’s assistant,” said Gordon “The kids loved him; on a day he wasn’t there, the kids were like ‘where’s Marty?’ They loved him. For a senior to do that it’s incredible.”
The class clown of the bunch is Ditchek. Ditchek moved from New Jersey to Peabody when he was 95 years old. Ditchek and Lawson were actually on the same island when they fought in the war.
Ditchek loves to watch Wheel of Fortune and Jeopardy!, even though he claims he is not that great at the latter. He loves to spend time with his many grandchildren and his four great-grandchildren.
“A few years ago, a doctor asked me ‘what’s your secret?'” he said. “I said there is no secret ― you just have to have lucky DNA.”
Hannah Chadwick can be reached at [email protected].
