Macomb County celebrates centenarians

MOUNT CLEMENS — On Oct. 25, Macomb County officials welcomed three guests of honor at its Department of Roads and COMTEC Center in Mount Clemens.

They did not travel too far — from Macomb Township, Roseville and Clinton Township — but the journey to the celebration was a long one.

Rita Bova, of Macomb Township; Grace Falconer, of Roseville; and Ann Pierce, of Clinton Township were honored into the rare group of centenarians: people who have lived 100 years or more.

The celebration was born from the county’s Meals on Wheels program, one of the many senior services overseen by Sheila Coté. Through this program, part of Macomb Community Action, the Senior Services Department became aware of a number of residents who are 100 and older.

“I found that very intriguing, so we started looking, and we found out that there are approximately 15 (centenarians) … which was surprising to us,” County Executive Mark Hackel said. “So, Shelia thought, ‘Let’s do outreach and do a celebration for those that are 100 years of age here in Macomb County, and kind of celebrate that they live in Macomb.”

While only three of the identified 15 centenarians were honored at the event, Hackel said the department will do home visits to celebrate those who could not make it. There are also plans to hold future centenarian celebrations on a quarterly basis.

Falconer is the youngest of the three honorees, coming in at a spry 100 years old. Traveling was a key focus of Falconer’s life, with the desire to see the world leading her to volunteer for the U.S. Army in World War II. After the war ended and she was discharged, some of Falconer’s friends who worked at a post office told her about a travel club.

“There were a couple of ladies (at the post office) that had a travel club together, and we could go traveling,” Falconer said. “We went somewhere at least once a year — sometimes we went twice in a year. I went to Africa, Spain, to Italy, to Bermuda twice, to the Virgin Islands three times. Oh, I just had a very, very good time.”

However, Falconer’s traveling ended when she had to take care of her father, when he became sick.

“I have had a very enjoyable life,” Falconer said. “I have enjoyed every day. … I am thankful, very thankful.”

Bova is 102 years old and has spent 50 of those years in Macomb County. She keeps to a tight routine each day by waking up, eating meals, having a glass of wine and going to bed at the same time each night. Other regular parts of her day include praying the rosary twice, listening to daily mass, going on walks and taking two garlic pills.

“I felt like I was very lucky (to be this old),” Bova said. “Nobody in my family has ever reached 100, and I finally reached 102.”

A recent favorite moment was her surprise party for reaching 102. Bova celebrated the milestone birthday about two weeks before the centenarian gathering, and her daughter organized a party for her at the Polish Century Club.

“I met all of my friends that I had going back to the people that were my young friends, all the way to the people who were up in age,” Bova said.

Bova’s advice to people who have a bit before they hit 100: just have fun.

“Go dancing,” Bova said. “That’s where I used to go when I was young. They used to have these real big dances. That’s where you meet all the people.”

At 103, Pierce is the oldest honored at the celebration. She is a 73-year resident of Macomb County, a mother of three, grandmother of six and great-grandmother of nine. She worked in an airplane factory during World War II.

“I had a nice, happy life, you know,” Pierce said. “I never smoked; I never drank alcohol — I never touched that stuff. So, I give them a lot of credit (for living so long), you know?”

It’s the 18 children, grandchildren and great-grandchildren Pierce cherishes most about her days.

As for how people can make it as long as she has, Pierce recommends staying away from the bottle.

“I would tell the young ones not to drink at all,” Piece said. “Don’t touch it. You can go to a party without having that stuff, you know?”

Each of the centenarians received a gift bag with a Make Macomb Your Home blanket and assorted goods, as well as a corsage.