Family and friends celebrate Minna Pearson’s 101st birthday at Gulfport Care Center
Elvis music echoed the halls and Dalmatian puppies were scattered throughout Gulfport Care Center in honor of Minna Pearson for her 101st birthday party celebration!
Cartoons, Elvis, and cake are just a few of Minna Pearson’s favorite things and had to be a part of Minna’s 101 birthday celebration.
Even though Minna has seen a lot growing up, especially living in Germany during World War II, Minna never let her past bring her down and has always lived life to the fullest. Minna’s great-niece Lynn Shiner said, “She has always been my role model. She’s 101. I thought last year was wonderful when she turned 100. She was right when she said no one in our family has lived to be 100. My mother came close, but not to 100 or 101. She’s been my role model for years.”
Last year, Minna celebrated her 100th birthday by taking a four-month cruise by herself. Shriner said, “I have always said she’s the person I want to be because I would like to have the exciting fun life she’s had.”
Nothing gets Minna down for too long and her secret to living a century is regular massages and B-12 shots. “She had an accident a few months ago, she did fall and break a hip and that was very scary for those that love and know her because you always start to think, oh no is this it.”
Family and friends from other states made their way to the Gulf Coast to celebrate Minna on her special day.
The care center’s caretakers knew they had to throw a very special party because it was a special lady they were celebrating. Gulfport Care Center Social Director Natasha Hemingway said, “We love all of our residents, but when she came in, she just has this aura about her and lights up a room.”
Many caretakers have bonded and spent a lot of time with Minna over her personal stories, which have changed some of their perspectives. “If anybody has a chance to meet a person like that, then you should sit down, have a conversation and pick their brains because they know so much.”
Minna had the best time and the best birthday she could have asked for. She said, “It was very nice. Thank you to people all over in the nursing home, thank you so much.”
The fun did not stop. After the party, Minna was treated to a trip to Scarlet Pearl for lunch and extra time with her great-niece, who is one of the few family members left.
