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The Secrets of Staying Young
Taken from Alpha Gamma Delta Spotlight:
Sharing Secrets of Staying Young—Even at 92
Ann Harms Kelley, Delta Beta—Washington State University, now 92 years young, decided to write down a list of ideas in response to the many inquiries she has received in recent years about her youthfulness. What started out as a pamphlet grew into the booklet, The Art of Staying Young…From a Lady 91!
In the booklet, Ann shares tips on how to look and feel younger, her favorite quotes and stories from her life experience. Throughout her book, there are three major factors that have contributed to Ann’s success at staying young: positive attitude through life’s difficulties, discipline and general care of the mind and body.
All proceeds from the sale of her booklet support the programs of Albertina Kerr Centers, a nonprofit organization serving the needs of youth and families at risk and adults and children with developmental disabilities in Oregon. Ann has volunteered with the Albertina Kerr Centers for 21 years.
Since it was printed in November 2001, the booklet has been sold in the Kerr Gift Shop, one of the Centers’ volunteer-run shops that have contributed more than $5 million since 1981. Ann was a charter volunteer of these shops when they opened and she estimates that she made and donated $11,000 worth of items for the gift shop.
After 10 years of volunteering for the shops, Ann was asked to model and coordinate the fashion shows for the Kerr Thrift Shop to benefit the Centers. Ann continues to model the thrift shop clothes at Albertina’s Restaurant twice a week despite being legally blind for more than 12 years.
Ann credits her volunteerism with keeping her active and young, “Volunteering has been a great outlet for me to keep busy. That’s how to stay young—keep busy.”
Longtime Alpha Gamma Delta Quarterly readers may remember Ann from the January 1953 issue. An article featured Ann and her unique “Ear Fantasies” jewelry. Ann’s hobby grew into a small business where she employed the disabled and provided them with not only money but also a self-esteem boast and occupational therapy.
Another interesting fact about Ann is that she married her first husband at the Delta Beta Chapter House in 1930. The house was brand-new and Ann and her groom chose the chapter house because it was the perfect intimate setting for a small wedding.
Ann’s fascinating life of 92 years can certainly be an inspiration to all of us.
To think...this woman has been an Alpha Gam for most of the last century--it's amazing! I remember at my very first IRD I met Dottie Russell Wright, a 1925 initiate of the Theta Chapter. There I was, only an Alpha Gam for 2 hours...and this sister was celebrating 75 years! If I'm not mistaken, Dottie's the oldest living Alpha Gam (correct me if I'm wrong--but that's what I was told). These women are truly an inspiration to us all!!!
Last edited by Unregistered-; 05-01-2002 at 11:41 PM.
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