Lenora Jackson, of Gary, turned 106 last week.
Erna Yark, of Valparaiso, just turned 104.
Marge Bishop, of Merrillville, turns 100 on April 25.
Our Region has more centenarians than ever before, reflecting a national trend as the number of Americans age 100 and older is projected to more than quadruple over the next three decades, according to projections from the U.S. Census Bureau.
In 1950, there were an estimated 2,300 Americans age 100 and older. Today, there are more than 100,000 of this age group with projections to more than 400,000 in 2054. The large majority, 78%, are women like Jackson, Yark and Bishop.
Jackson, who lives at Gary Manor Apartments, was born April 10, 1918.
Let that sink in for a minute.
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That year on Nov. 11, the historic Armistice was signed, signaling an end to the First World War with genuine hopes there would never be another one. Also, daylight savings time was enacted, a total solar eclipse crept over our country, and the 1918 pandemic killed tens of millions of people.
But it didn’t kill Jackson, who was born in Centerville, Texas. At 5 years old, she was among the Great Migration of Americans who moved from the South to the North, landing her in Chicago. She would later marry Ed Henry Jackson, enjoying matrimony for 40 years until his death.
Lenora Jackson was a housewife for most of those years. After her husband’s death, she worked as a caseworker in Chicago until she retired. The couple had two children, seven grandchildren and 18 great-grandchildren. According to Jackson, these are her secrets to such a long life.
She gives honor to God, saying she asked God for longevity and He has granted it thus far. She also has a family history of relatives living past 100. Jackson also stayed very socially active with her friends and within the community. Her life’s credo is simple: Treat people the way you want to be treated.
In the last three decades, the U.S. centenarian population has nearly tripled, according to Pew Research Center, a nonpartisan think tank in Washington, D.C. In 30 years, women are expected to make up 68% of those ages 100 and older, while 32% will be men.
Yark, who was named after her aunt, was born in Hammond. She grew up in Crown Point and moved to Valparaiso in 1991. With seven sisters and two brothers, Yark has a large family, including many nieces and nephews. She currently lives at Valparaiso Care & Rehabilitation, where on Friday she will celebrate her 104th birthday.
“Erna continues to find joy in puzzles, coloring and embracing her inner princess. She loves dressing up in pretty clothes and a tiara,” a spokeswoman said. “She stole the spotlight during Valparaiso's Popcorn Festival Parade. She also attended Night to Shine, a special needs prom, where she shone brightly among her fellow attendees.”
“Erna’s boundless joy and resilience serve as a reminder of the power of the human spirit. Her story resonates as a testament to the beauty of a life well-lived and the enduring impact of love, family and community,” the spokeswoman said.
There are currently more than 700,000 centenarians worldwide, with the U.S. ranking second behind Japan, followed by China, India and Thailand.
Bishop, whose parents were from Croatia, will be celebrating her 100th birthday in true Region style with a celebration Sunday at Teibel’s Family Restaurant in Schererville. Dozens of family members and friends will be attending, coming from eight other states and Puerto Rico. This includes her four children and their spouses, eight grandchildren and four great-grandchildren.
Bishop has lived in Northwest Indiana for 97 years, as a girl taking a streetcar trolley from her Glen Park home to downtown Gary. Her first job was packing chocolates in boxes earning 5 cents an hour.
“She was a young girl when the first radios became available, and 10 years old when the first television sets were available to buy,” said her daughter, Mary Hilgart, who lives in New Jersey.
Bishop was 5 when the Great Depression devastated our country. She lived through it just as she lived through so many other major events, wars, milestones and catastrophes. She has lived for 876,000 hours and counting. Again, let that sink in for a minute, or for an hour.
“Let’s take a second to reflect on what it means to be 100 years old,” her daughter told guests who will be attending Sunday’s birthday party.
This is exactly the point of today’s column. Despite the fact that youth is celebrated, even worshiped, on a daily basis in our world, just imagine living to 100. For some of you, it will someday be a reality.
Contact Jerry at Jerry.Davich@nwi.com. Find him on Facebook and other socials. Opinions are those of the writer.