KAILUA-KONA — At some point in life, birthdays become an unwanted reminder of growing old, rather than a celebration of another trip around the sun. Well cheer up, because Edna Owen of Kailua-Kona just proved that 100 is the new 80, and credits her longevity to family and happiness. Five generations of Owen’s family gathered at Kona Inn on Sunday to celebrate the centenarian’s big day.
“My secret to a long life is a big family, and mine is all with me today,” said Owen. “Have a good family who loves you very much and will do anything for you.”
Sitting majestically in her high-backed chair as the matriarch and guest of honor, Owen was very poised, sharp, and full of good humor.
“I was married for the second time when I was 85,” she said. “My second husband was wonderful and very good to me. My first husband was very good looking, but he knew it. We were married for a long time. But the second one, he was very sweet.”
Joining in the birthday celebrations were dozens of family and friends of Owen including her three children, eight grandchildren, 16 great grand children, and 11 great, great grandchildren.
“Just look at all these loved ones I have here,” said Owen. “I don’t have any regrets. I thank God that I can walk, and talk, and move around, and do anything I want. I feel the same as when I was 50.”
One hundred year birthday parties are happening more frequently than ever in the Untied States. According to the latest Census Bureau data the centenarian population has grown 66 percent over the past three decades, There are 53,364 people in the U.S. who are 100 or older, compared with 2,194 in 1980.
If you’re lucky enough to live 100 years, you’re also more than likely to rake up a few funny stories along the way. Nana Padillio of Kailua-Kona is one of Owen’s great-granddaughters and her eyes light up when she speaks of her beloved elder.
“My favorite story of my great grandma was told to me by my Uncle Ron,” said Padilla. “Great grandma was 85 when she started dating her second late husband, Don. One night they came home from a date and my Uncle Ron opened the door to go outside to see what was going on. He saw Grandma and Don in the car which was all steamed up. We call it her ‘Titanic Moment’. Uncle Ron said there were even hand prints on the window! Today we tell grandma to never quit living those Titanic moments. She taught me to always be free, be happy, and love people.”
Owen’s grandson Mark Garcia flew in from San Diego for his grandmother’s party and also had fun stories to share.
“One time here in Hawaii in ’78 or ’79 when I was about 18 or 19 years old, I was smoking pot with her first husband,” said Garcia. “Grandma came down and caught us. The look on her face was the worst I’d ever seen, and yet she still had a chuckle. I learned good morals from Grandma. She taught me how to talk to women and she had a way of wording things that was not judgmental.”
Owen says Hawaii is her favorite place in the world, so she has come back to stay.
“The number one lesson in life is to be happy and share it with everybody. Put a smile on your face, shake hands, and do something to make someone else happy too.”
Great advice Grandma Owen. Happy birthday.