'Hard work and fresh air' may be the secrets to a long life for 105-year-old Irene Jones

KEIZER — Irene Jones is the first to arrive in the south parlor at Willamette Lutheran Retirement Community. She pulls up an extra chair at the table and gathers decks of cards and a score sheet before the others join her for pinochle.

The age around the table ranges from 86 to 105, all enjoying the entertainment and social aspects of playing cards while also reaping the cognitive benefits.

Irene plays three nights a week, just one of the ways she keeps her mind sharp.

She is the oldest resident at the facility, where she has lived for nearly 20 years. Only Idella Rempel, sitting to her left at the table, has lived here longer.

Irene, who will turn 106 in August, is a savvy player who often wins but does not see as well as she used to. She appreciates when her opponents help out by announcing the card suit played. Theirs is a competitive but friendly game.

Macular degeneration is about the only thing slowing down this centenarian. By definition, she is a semi-supercentenarian, someone who has lived to be between 105 and 109. Anyone 110 and older is a supercentenarian.

No matter what the label, Irene is in rare company.

The Social Security Administration reported 1,059 Oregon beneficiaries 100 and older in 2023.

Based on Social Security and Census data and using actuarial tables and the probability of survival above age 100, Portland State University's Population Research Center estimates 1,144 centenarians, 117 semi-supercentenarians and four supercentenarians in Oregon.

Salem Health identified Irene in January as its oldest patient, topping a list of at least 47 centenarians who seek care in its hospitals and clinics. An article was published about her in an internal newsletter, highlighting her life and Salem Health's elderhood care.

Staying busy and appreciating every day

Irene uses a walker, is a bit hard of hearing, and needed a pacemaker at 103, but she is an active resident and an inspiration to many.

"She has got to be one of the most life-filled individuals that I've ever known," said Raeann McDonald, executive director at Willamette Lutheran who has worked in long-term care for 45 years. "She has not stopped living. Every day she gets, she appreciates and makes the most of it."

In addition to cards, Irene plays bingo twice a week and enjoys going to restaurants, knitting and reading audiobooks. She participates in the monthly dinner club, recently knitted a stocking cap for a newborn great-great-grandchild, and is listening to the audio book: “Three Cups of Tea: One Man’s Mission to Promote Peace.”

“I usually keep pretty busy,” Irene said.

She gets her hair done at the onsite salon on Wednesdays and her nails when beauty school students visit on Saturdays. They have not been for a while, but her coral-pink nails still look fresh.

Thursdays are her slow day, if there is such a thing. She spends it with her niece, Marlene Harris, and they usually go out to lunch and run errands.

“She takes me where I need to go,” said Irene, who drove until she was 98½. “I’m so thankful for her.”

One of their recent outings included shopping for shoes. Irene left the apartment dressed to the nines, wearing a stylish black vest over a white sweater with black pants. She is known to accessorize with striking jewelry, including silver dangle earrings with lavender beads that day.

Harris, 70, said her aunt is game for just about anything, and their outings are always educational.

“If you ride around with her, she’ll point out this and that,” Harris said. “I get a history lesson because she was here before anything.”

Working the fields near Keizer with her husband

Irene has lived most of her life in the area, growing up on a farm near Woodburn. She was 19 when she married Emery Jones, a farmer and carpenter, in 1937.

They rented property near the corner of River and Chemawa roads, what now is downtown Keizer. Her husband worked for a seed company, and they raised garden seeds.

They eventually bought their own place, a 50-acre spread north of Keizer near Perkins Street NE. They built a home, raised a daughter, and grew onions and other vegetables until retiring in the early 1980s.

Irene worked in the fields until she was 62, which her niece figures contributed to her longevity.

“What’s your secret” is a frequent question asked of Irene.

“I always say hard work and fresh air,” she said.

'She's just so elegant and graceful'

Irene has a mixed bag of genes. Her mother died young, of diphtheria and pneumonia when Irene was just 4. Her father died at 93.

She has a positive outlook on life and is always smiling, except during certain points of a serious card game.

"She gets up every day and does her makeup and hair, and everything she wears is coordinated," McDonald said. "The whole time I've known her she's taken a lot of pride in her appearance. She's just so elegant and graceful, very unassuming, and so very sweet."

Irene's husband died in 1999. She remained in their home until moving to Willamette Lutheran in 2004, first living in the cottages and now an apartment.

A few years back she had a boyfriend, whom she met in the retirement community, but he died just before his 104th birthday. She said she is not looking for another boyfriend.

Irene is one of 105 current residents, and many are not just friends but extended family always looking out for her.

Getting a tattoo not on her bucket list

Her 106th birthday is Aug. 16, and she and her niece have been racking their brains for a memorable way to celebrate.

“Someone asked me if I’ve ridden an elephant,” Irene said with a chuckle. “I said that would be fun, but there are none around.”

She has already checked off several bucket list items in recent years, riding on a motorcycle and in a B-17 bomber, hot air balloon and helicopter. Last year it was the helicopter ride arranged by a grandson.

The pilot even let Irene take the controls for a bit.

About 100 friends and family — she has a daughter, two grandchildren, four great-grandchildren, and three great-great-grandchildren — gathered last year at Willamette Lutheran to help her celebrate. Photos posted on the community's Facebook page showed her wearing a silver sash and holding a birthday card with a hundred-dollar bill and five ones. Guests were treated to samples of her favorite candy: Rocky Road from Phillips Candies of Seaside.

A repeat for her 106th would be fine with Irene. She also would settle for dinner at Outback Steakhouse, which she has had for previous birthdays. Steak is one of her favorite foods.

Irene will not be getting a tattoo. She ruled that a couple of years ago.

“I figured it was a little bit late now,” she said.

If she did get one, it would be a small hummingbird on her ankle. Hummingbirds are part of her apartment décor. Glass figures dangle in front of her patio door, and a painting hangs on her living room wall.

Irene said she would love to be able to go ziplining or skydiving — her niece is not keen on either — although she doubts she could meet the physical requirements.

“I guess she’s safe then,” Irene said with a smile.

Capi Lynn is a senior reporter for the Statesman Journal. Send comments, questions and tips to her at clynn@statesmanjournal.com, and follow her work on Twitter @CapiLynn and Facebook @CapiLynnSJ.

This article originally appeared on Salem Statesman Journal: 'Hard work and fresh air' secrets to long life for 105-year-old