Stafholt resident celebrates 100 years on Valentine's Day

Catherine Valentine Wilson celebrated her 100th birthday on Valentine’s Day at Good Samaritan-Society – Stafholt. Her friends and family were there to commemorate a century of good health, joy and strong faith.

Daughters Marcia Hoelzen, who lives in Bellingham, and Anna Wilson, who came from Jacksonville, Florida, attended the celebration. Hoelzen brought her son, Alex, and Wilson brought her daughter, Vanessa.

Catherine was surrounded with love on her birthday, as her friends at the Blaine nursing home were with her to enjoy a big pink raspberry cake accompanied by ball toss and other games.

“Catherine is an awesome mom,” Anna said. “She has always loved us unconditionally.”

Born in Georgia, Catherine was one of the youngest of 12 siblings. Wilson said Catherine’s sister died at 104 years old, and her husband died at 93.

She left Georgia at 18 years old and moved to California, where she married her late husband, a dentist, and had two kids. In 1969, she moved to Florida where she worked as a secretary at a Southern Baptist church.

“Strong faith has helped her lived so long, as well as being social and always connected to the church and family,” Anna said. 

Catherine said her good genetics and the staff at Good Samaritan are the two things keeping her alive and well, and that the lord decided for her to live to 100. Catherine has also lived a healthy life by avoiding alcohol and smoking, and exercising regularly.

“She always says, ‘It’s time to take my exercise’ like she’s taking ibuprofen,” Hoelzen said.