Gilroy
– Some say it’s the good air in Indiana, others say it’s the
good genes, but sisters Hilda Lynch, 95, and Margaret Chabot, 97,
agree that the key to living nearly a century is to always stay
happy.
Gilroy – Some say it’s the good air in Indiana, others say it’s the good genes, but sisters Hilda Lynch, 95, and Margaret Chabot, 97, agree that the key to living nearly a century is to always stay happy.
They lived their younger years simply – Hilda as a housewife and mother of five, and Margaret as a dietitian and school teacher.
And Saturday, more than two dozen family and friends gathered at Westside Grill to honor the two sharp and witty women. After the lunch they all came home for cake and coffee.
At a young age they lived together, laughed and played, but as adults they moved away and began their own lives. Now seven decades later, they live together again. Margaret turned 97 Jan. 29 and Hilda turned 95 nine days later.
A happy childhood produced positive perspectives. They always look forward to the smaller things in life, such as the first blossoms in the spring. The memories of their childhood are vivid. Hilda remembers how “Papa” told ghost stories on the front lawn and Margaret told a story about how she would not drink water from the well because “Papa” told her that it was infested with frogs.
But one of the happiest times of Hilda’s life was when she got to meet her favorite actress.
“When I was in my early 50s, my son won a raffle to be on the TV program “The Golden Girls,” said Hilda. She got to meet Betty White.
They talked about the journeys they took in life. Hilda moved from Indiana to L.A. to Gilroy. Although she does not recall many obstacles in her life, she pointed out that her husband’s death of cancer was one of her toughest times.
“I’ve learned that I have to keep active and be happy everyday,” said Hilda. She visits the senior center three times a week where she plays cards and eats with other women there. But nothing made her happier than the arrival of her sister Margaret last December.
“It made me so happy when my sister came,” Hilda said through tears as she reached over to Margaret and hugged her.
“We just held each other for a long time,” added Margaret, who lived in Indiana until her older sister Mabel Casey recently died – at the age of 100.
Margaret lived a slightly different life than her sister Hilda.
The most memorable moment was her wedding. As a young girl, Margaret would “flirt with the guys. I was boy crazy,” she said. Finally at 48 she married, but had no children.
“I don’t feel deprived because I have many nieces and nephews,” she said.
One of her nieces is Amy Thompson, 52, who attended the party.
“I figure, in this family I am half way there,” said Thompson, a teacher in San Jose. Thompson’s brother, Robert Lynch, 58, is aware of his potential to live long, and he knows what might caused his mother, and aunt to live so long.
“They just purposely focus on the positive things,” said Robert Lynch.
Then the time came to sing “Happy Birthday.” The sisters gathered around the table and waited for the song to finish while the candles flickered on white and pink frosting. They blew out the candles together and then opened their presents.
It’s back to their normal life, filled with scrabble, bridge, bingo, watching TV and acting silly. One of their favorite activities is sitting in front of the fire place to share memories.
“We look at the fire place and talk crazy,” said Margaret.
