A granny from Galway, who amazingly celebrated her 107th birthday recently, hailed her fun long life ‘rule’ as possibly being the key to her long existence.
After experiencing over a century of life, Galway woman Kathleen Lowery admitted that while she doesn’t possess the exact secret to a long life, she does believe that one of the most important factors in living a long life is not to worry as much and just to learn to go with the flow.
Born just a couple of months after the 1916 Easter Rising, Kathleen has lived through many wars and numerous political movements and has seen the world evolve and change in various ways.
Kathleen’s family – are deeply proud of Kathleen
Kathleen continues to be an inspiration to her family, who are deeply proud of her, and as is tradition, she will receive her 8th coin from the President of Ireland in the post.
Kathleen’s granddaughter Tracey joked, “I think she thinks it’s time for a bit more money to come through the door!”.
On Wednesday, a giant celebration was held to mark Kathleen’s momentous 107th birthday, with family coming from far and wide to celebrate with her.
Tracey explained, “Even her nieces and nephews are coming home with their families. It’s a big occasion; it’s a big thing every year. Every year we wonder if it could be her last, but every year she’s managed it. She’s amazing”.
Kathleen Lowery – an amazing granny
Kathleen previously worked as a secretary and court clerk and is well-known and loved in the Tuam community.
She has been described as still being physically very healthy for someone of her age, and impressively the only aids that she uses are a walking stick and glasses. Tracey described her as still being “amazing” and “sharp as a tack”.
Tracey said that her grandmother’s faith helps to keep her strong, “One of her best friends died when she was 102. It was amazing the way the two of them made it past 100, but I think It was very sad at the funeral for her to say goodbye.
“She shed a tear and said, ‘I’ll see you soon’. She’s outlived all her old friends, so in that respect, it must be very sad.
“When someone in the town dies thirty years younger than her, it feels very surreal for her that she’s still here. Her faith and her religion is what keeps her strong”.
Kathleen’s special ‘rule’ – the key to a long life
After 107 years of life, Tracey says that travel is one of the most important aspects of Kathleen’s life. “She’s travelled all over the world,” she said. “She’s always encouraged us to do the same.”
Another thing she lives by is the rule of not worrying and not looking back, “She doesn’t really look back. She looks back on fond memories, but she doesn’t look back on the hard times – and there were hard times.
“She always says to us: ‘go and live your life, and knock the craic out of it,’” explained Tracey. That rule certainly sounds like a great way to live one’s life.
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