Make the World a Better Place Neva Gould Graceful Aging Worry Is ...

Graceful Aging:A Conversation withDowning KayBy the timeThanksgivingrolls around, myfriend DowningKay will havejust celebrated her 102ndbirthday. She is the firstcentenarian I have knownpersonally and, admittedly,she has become a newstandard against which Ichallenge the stereotypes ofaging. Recently I had a conversationwith her to find outthe secret for her long andhealthy life. She graciouslyobliged my questions, beingaccustomed to attentionBy Jaana Myllyluomadue to her age—being “theExhibit A”, as she laughinglysays of her role at the seniorliving complex where she hasher own apartment. It is notunusual for the managementto stop her in the hallwayto put in a good word to apotential new resident. She isan irresistibly engaging person,an elegant woman fullof sparkle and energy, whoappears much younger thanher three-digit years.Downing was born andraised in Baltimore, themiddle child of five, andenjoyed a happy childhoodat a time when life was farsimpler than today. Shegraduated from High Schoolin 1920 and went on to theNormal School to become ateacher. She married, hadtwo children, and when herdaughter was young, Downingenrolled her at the Graceand St. Peter’s preschool inMount Vernon. The school,in turn, hired Downing toteach, which led to a longand satisfying career at theschool.Perhaps it’s the teacher inher that gives Downing aninsatiable curiosity about theworld around her. Keepingup with progress is one of thesecrets to which she attributesher long life. We talkabout the changes in the roleof women over the last century.Being a career womanmost of her life has given hera different perspective frommany of her peers. Quite emphaticallyshe declares thathaving a woman running forthe president of our countryis real progress. I sense inher voice the pride of seeinghow far we have come.It is no surprise to mewhen Downing reveals anotherone of her secrets—herunfounded interest in people.“I like people—children,teenagers, old people, middleaged—all ages. I want tohear what they have to say,what they’ve been doing,”0Focus on Women Magazine