In addition to Mattie Lee Cooksey Gardner, two other centenarians had birthdays this month: Lena Dionne, born June 14, 1893 and Estella Oliver, born June 20, 1893. Both are 110!
Here's a little about Mrs. Dionne and Mrs. Oliver:
When asked her secret to long life, Mrs. Oliver says: "orange juice and cranberry juice every day and exercise is important too." She also says she has never smoked or drank; and that Ponds Cold Cream is her beauty formula.
Estella Oliver married "the man of her dreams" Archie Oliver in 1924. Mr. Oliver died just three years after their marriage; Mrs. Oliver never had children or remarried. For 40-years, Mrs. Oliver worked in the school system as a teacher.
Reading and eating breakfast are Lena Dionne's keys to longevity.
In a 2002 Times story Mrs. Dionne said, "Be sure to eat a good breakfast. I just love food. I like to eat any time."
Mrs. Dionne continues to be an avid reader. Her favorite are Harlequin romance novels. "I love to read any kind of book. It keeps my mind going. I don't remember how long I've been reading them, but they are getting racier," she said in 2002.
This year the director of customer service for Harlequin romance recognized Mrs. Dionne's with a certificate of excellence citing her as its "best customer" and sent her a box of new novels.
Mrs. Dionne married Felix Dionne when she was 16; the couple had one son George, who is deceased.
