Betsy Phillips takes 100 years in stride

Upon approaching Betsy Phillips' Fallbrook home, I asked myself however can one sum up 100 years in a few paragraphs. I was welcomed amazingly by Betsy herself in a pair of well-fitted blue jeans and a fashionable flowered top.

With a warm smile, I was shown into her dining room, amazed at her erect posture and the energy in her walk, surely to be envied by anyone at any age.

As we seated ourselves at the dining room table, Betsy exclaimed, "oh, look"; from the large dining room window we looked out to see a jaunty black and yellow oriole feeding from the hummingbird feeder. Betsy explained that the studying and sighting of birds has been a passion of hers all her life, her very favorite being the cardinal.

Betsy was born in Kansas City, Missouri on the 13th of May, 1917, a very tumultuous time in world history, during WWI. Betsy had a 4 year old brother and three half-siblings.

Betsy explained that when she was 7 months old, her mother was busy making arrangements for Christmas, shopping, baking, and decorating the home. During the busyness of the Christmas preparations, Betsy's mother was stricken with a horrendous pain and was immediately rushed to the hospital.

Sadly, the medical advances we have today were not available back then, and she passed away that same day from a burst

appendix. So Betsy, under these dire circumstances, was given to her dear Aunt Della May, her father's sister.

Growing up during the Depression was not an easy feat for most families. Betsy loved going to school regardless of the weather. She couldn't bear the thought of missing a day of school.

Betsy's father was involved in the planning and building of bridges throughout the United States and needed to travel to the various locations of the individual engineering sites. One of the sites she remembers well from conversations is the Burnside Bridge project that her father was involved with.

At the age of 14, Betsy had an opportunity to attend the University of Arkansas Junior College. As of course this was still during the Depression, so Betsy contacted her father for a $50 a month guarantee, ensuring that he would be able to afford the tuition. She still remembers with great excitement when her father's cable arrived saying, yes, it would be affordable.

Betsy, at 14, was the youngest student in her class. Her chemistry lab student teacher, John Phillips, was 24 years old. Through the years they kept in contact and then, as life does unfold, 10 years later, John and Betsy happily married.

"This was a true love marriage" Betsy said, with a gentle smile and a special twinkle in her eyes. They had three children together. Their first child, John Jr. (now deceased), was born in Frankfurt, Germany; John Sr. was serving in the US Army.

Their second and third children, Dennis and Carolyn, were born in the USA. Betsy loved being a mother and a wife. She said, "I had never worn a pair of slacks, until one day my modern thinking husband said to me, 'Betsy why don't you ever wear slacks?'" And so, she began to wear slacks, except when going to church. Betsy remembers back when Katherine Hepburn first wore slacks, and a good percentage of people thought it really a bit risqué.

John Sr. was involved in the transport business, and had his own short haul company. There was great transport competition between trains and trucks back in the day. There was a time when they were stationed in Toledo, Ohio. There was a fierce blizzard blowing when they abruptly agreed, "We can't go through another winter."

John and Betsy began house hunting and found the perfect spot in Fallbrook, overlooking a golf course. John loved golfing! Betsy loved playing tennis and found excellent courts in Vista. Together they lived very happy years in Fallbrook. John Sr. passed 17 years ago.

Betsy, a very independent woman, still drives her own car, does the grocery shopping, cooks, and drives to church each week. Betsy has lived and will continue to live a happy and contented life. This young woman at heart, knows how to live, how to love, how to pray and appreciate her religion, and how to keep her mind stimulated.

Betsy said, "people ask me often what exercises do you do?" She most often replies, "none at all. Most people are just not aware of their bodies." "When I awake," she continued, "I rub my joints, I stretch and if I have a pain or a twitch I make sure I attend to it. If it moves, move it! Know your body! I use all my joints before I get out of bed in the morning." She also added, "I am very aware of my diet."

Betsy's favorite Aunty Della May, on her 100th birthday went to look in the bathroom mirror, and said out loud, "So this is what a 100 year old lady looks like, never saw one before!" (She lived to be 102.)

Betsy's Centennial Celebration was held at the Fallbrook Seventh Day Adventist Church May 13.

In closing this brief introduction, Betsy said, "God has given us a great gift, he gives us a youthful heart. We don't age past 18 in our feelings, we feel young, loved and energized. Do not talk or think about your age! Live!"