Page 6 February 18, 2016 TORRANCE TRIBUNE Lily smiled and said, “It’s been a wonderful life, and I loved it. I loved to go to work. I met all the people from overseas. From China, Japan, et al. I had a wonderful job they don’t have anymore. I feel great,” said Lil. Accompanying Lil to the luncheon was her daughter, Patti Kriegshauser. Betty Gorman, who will be 90 in May, and Bets Atamic age 91, were sitting and chatting together when I approached them. Bets, who has lived in the South Bay for 50 years told me, “This is my second one [luncheon]. After the first one, I went home Mary Werk and Joann Koester. Lynn Brennan, founder of The Roaring 90’s Club. and I was laughing when I got home – it [the luncheon] was so filled with energy. People were dancing and singing.” Bernice Roberson, age 85 had been coming to the club for three years when she invited Bonnie Stull, age 87. Bernice said, “We are ‘in training’ because we aren’t 90 yet. I was a porcelain artist for over thirty years…I have been here since ’61.” Bonnie told me, “I worked as a secretary and then my husband wanted me to stay home and raise the children. I helped him through college. I have [lived here] since ’59. It is a wonderful place to live.” Jerry Decker, and his wife, Nina, age 94 have both been coming to the luncheons for three or four years. Jerry told me, “We have been here 57 years. As far as getting out goes, we get out too much. My son, Jerry who lives in Tennessee (he’s in the Army), Lou Samson, Jane Salva, Ellen Samson, Lynn Brennan, and Phyllis Lawson.j he called and left a message on the machine. He said, ‘You folks are too old never to be home’.” That made me laugh but from everyone I had spoken with, I suppose most of the children of these marvelous people could say the same thing. Over on one side of the room, busily preparing to serve dessert were Lou Samson, Jane Salva, Ellen Samson, Lynn Brennan, and Phyllis Lawson. “Costco contributed to our lunch today, as well as Ellen Samson, from American Geriatric who brings volunteers to help. Joanne Koester is one of our major volunteers,” said Lynn. After dessert, door prizes were awarded to the winning ticket holders. 92-year-old TerriAnn in Torrance Lunching With The Roaring 90’s Club Story and Photos by TerriAnn Ferren The Roaring 90’s Club, a social club for seniors age 90 and older, was founded nearly thirteen years ago by Lynn Brennan. Those 85 years and older are eligible to join, but are considered ‘trainees’ so to speak. Last weekend I crashed their “Love You Valentine” quarterly luncheon and wasn’t prepared for what I found. “We have them [luncheons] in different places. We have met a lot at the First Christian Church on Maple Avenue in Torrance. We are fortunate today to be at the Salvation Army, Redondo Beach. It is a beautiful room,” said Lynn. There are over 150 people on the South Bay mailing list and Lynn hopes to expand and start clubs in Long Beach and Santa Monica. Lynn told me, “These people are older, most of them have lost their good friends and this is a way for them to fellowship with their peers. They love it. It gives them recognition as well. They are walking history books, they built our country - this generation is very strong, vital, and active. Someone asked me, ‘What do you do, go clean their houses?’ I said no, these people are ready to party.” Walking into the large room, I was met with the lively chatter of nearly one hundred people finding their seats for this very special Valentine luncheon. Mary Werk and Joann Koester were busy checking people off the list, as attendees entered the decorated room. Joann told me, “I met Lynn Brennan at Curves about eight years ago and she invited me to come help out and I have been helping out four times a year ever since.” Mary told me she has ‘a friend of a friend’ who had volunteered to participate today but had another commitment, “I ‘got volunteered’, and it is my first time. I am very impressed. There was a lady who came in today and it is her birthday. She is 95 years old.” Lynn Brennan was scurrying around tending to every detail as her busy volunteers helped seat guests, organize the luncheon table, and make sure everyone was signed in and received a raffle ticket. This was a busy room. The program opened with a prayer led by Pastor David Shook from the Church of Redondo Hills, followed by the Pledge of Allegiance. Luncheon was served, so I decided to chat with a few of the members of this very elite club. Toward the front of the room sat Pat Ramsey, age 90 and Don Sturges, age 91 sitting together, visiting. “We went to high school together,” said Don. “[We graduated in] ’43. Through all the reunions, through the years and bowling - we have bumped into each other. Now we are bumping again. I live by the high school, he lives in Torrance,” said Pat. “I [live in] Christmas tree lane and this is the second time I have been here,” added Don. Pat reminded me you have to qualify to become a member. Pat turns 91 years old February 15th and Don will be 92 years old April 30th. “Inside you aren’t whatever age you are - now matter what you say. You don’t know how to feel anyway - your body is going to tell you what you can do. As far as feeling, I still work. I am a tax preparer. I am here with my best friend, Mary and my buddy [Don],” beamed Pat. Pat used to tap dance with a tap dance group called The Sweethearts, and Don taught an exercise and fitness class Tuesday and Thursday nights from 7 p.m. to 9 p.m. at Wilson Park with the city of Torrance for 33 years. “I play golf Friday’s and bowl Monday’s, Wednesday’s, and Friday’s – three leagues,” Don said with a smile. Toward the back of the room I met Margaret Higgins, age 83 (who has lived in Torrance for 30 years) and Peggy Newson, age 87. These two women have been friends for over 50 years. They met in Toronto, Canada, and relocated to Southern California when their children were small. “We are both English, we were born in England, we went to Canada and then we both came down here. Our two boys were almost the same age,” said Peggy. “We had friends who were down here and we came to be with them. We were down here in ’56, then we went back to Canada…then we went back to England. In ’62 we came back [here] – my son was four. I used to teach at Rolling Hills Country Day School. It’s been a wonderful life,” said Margaret. “I was a bookkeeper at a convalescent hospital,” said Peggy. Both ladies, now widows, enjoy the camaraderie and socialization the club offers. Next, I spoke with Lil Daly who is 94 and ½ and will be 95 years old on Mother’s Day. This beautiful, amazing woman told me, “I had a really wonderful job with Exxon Corporation but I also raised five children. Patti is my middle daughter, I have three daughters and two sons and they range in age from 55 to 69. My husband was a pilot and flew B-24’s during WWII and luckily came home without a scratch. He was a big, handsome man and I married him in ten days.” Then See TerriAnn, page 7
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