The year was 1917 – Woodrow Wilson was president; Mata Hari was convicted and executed as a spy; the United States declared war on Germany; and Ruth Elizabeth Boggs was born.
Fast-forward a century ... and that incredibly youthful woman – now Ruth Elizabeth Keeney – celebrated her 100th birthday March 29 with nearly 100 family members and friends at the Edgewood Bulldogs’ clubhouse.
Among the many well-wishers were her sons and their wives, Robert “Bikini” and Judi Keeney and Jack and Pam Keeney; grandchildren Kris (Pam) Keeney, Kelly (Ryan) Keeney Craig and Jordan Keeney; great-granddaughters Alex (John) Keeney and Paige Keeney; and great-grandchildren Gracie, Callan and Ty Craig and Sophie and Maeve Blue.
When asked to what she attributed her longevity, she responded, “Beer, popcorn, laughter and children!” As to being 100, she said, “It can’t be an age, so it’s just a number. I think when you reach this point you get to start counting backward.”
Ruth recalls how her parents struggled during the Depression (which accounts for why she has so many plastic bags in her garage), the old Model T and how they all gathered around the radio to listen to Jack Benny, Fibber McGee and The Great Gildersleeve.
Before she was married, she worked Downtown at L.S. Ayres and later as a floral designer for the Village Flower Shop in Southport.
Ruth, who enjoys good health and lives on her own, loves playing gin rummy, ... but be forewarned that she has been nicknamed “Ruthless.” She comes to play, and she will beat your socks off.
Happy birthday, Ruth! May you have many more. We love you.