 Home | Recent News | Wichita | Keys to Long Life 10 Sep 2007 102 year old says curiosity, hard work keys to long lifeOn the eve of her 102nd birthday, Hazel Lister credits her long life to a thirst for knowledge and a strong work ethic. The resident of Presbyterian Manor of Wichita will be one of four guests of honor at a party recognizing Centenarians Day at 11 a.m. Friday, Sept. 21 at Presbyterian Manor. The Manor is located at 4700 W. 13th Street. A barbecue and cake reception will be held from 11 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. to honor all four of the Manor’s residents who either have celebrated or will celebrate their 100th birthdays this year: Lister, Lovena Hittle, Margaret Toliver and Irene Clark. That event will be held in the Manor courtyard, weather permitting, with a cake cutting at noon. Lister, the elder stateswoman of the group, said her doctor once asked her what her secret to longevity was. “I said I don’t have one except I worked all my life like,” said the retired teacher and corporate secretary. “My folks were poor. I worked my way through college. You come up and you learn the hard way. And, I’ve always had a thirst for knowledge. I have a curious mind. That’s what drives you.” Lister still plays the piano for fellow residents almost daily; supports the Fine Arts department at Friends University, where she has endowed a scholarship; and reads as much as her low vision allows. “Music is such a big part of my life,” she said. She has always enjoyed the Singing Quakers and as a graduate of another small faith-based Kansas college – the now defunct College of Emporia – she identifies with Friends University. “I love their programs,” she said. She recently gave a presentation about her life at the Manor. It included music and readings of some of her favorite poetry. “I didn’t cover but a third of my life,” she said. “I told what I could in 30 minutes. I didn’t think it came off all that well. I am a perfectionist and that’s bad.” Now Lister, who is a direct descendant of John Quincy Adams, is debating whether to continue to share her story by preparing an additional presentation, this time with photographs from her life. Or, she said perhaps she will just sit in her rocking chair and “look out the window and watch the big old trees blow out in the wind.” Whatever she decides, she first will enjoy the party Friday, followed by a personal birthday celebration with several family members and many friends at 2 p.m.
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