Pat Crosby: 102-year-old Bellingham resident

What made this year’s birthday special?

This birthday? That I’m still here.

What do you think the secret to living a long, healthy life is?

Taking every day as it comes.

You were married to your husband for 67 years. How did you meet?

We met roller skating. I picked him out. That’s my personality. I sat on the sidelines and I wanted to learn to skate, so I picked out the best skater. I’m stubborn, and that’s what I wanted to do, so that’s how I did it.

Did you think he was cute when you ‘picked him out’? Did you think it would turn into love?

No, I just looked at his feet. 

You have lived through more than a century, what has changed?

I do see the thing today, that people have so much. Kids are being taught when they’re young to get so much and want so much. Of course, I went through the Great Depression when, if you had a nickel, you hung onto it. Today, it’s: I want it, I get it. That’s something that I think about, these kids coming up today, what are they going to do when they get older and they can’t have everything they want?

What lesson do you feel you took away from living through something like the Great Depression?

Oh, I’m as tight as a drum. I find myself saving things that should be thrown away because you never forget that.

What piece of advice would you give your younger self?

As things happen, you just accept them. 

Are you optimistic about the future?

The one thing about the world, it’s going to continue. And so whatever comes, comes. Humanity’s just going to have to deal with it … Some will be able to, and some, who knows what they’ll do. As I look at society today — people can do anything they want. They’ll have to come to the realization that life is not always easy. 

What has gotten you through hardships in your life?

Faith. It’ll turn out.

Who has inspired you?

Probably my mother. I had seven brothers and sisters, and that was a lot for my mother. When my father died when I was 10, I was the youngest, but she still had kids at home. She didn’t work, but we had a big farm … She was an inspiration. She never complained about it. Just family to take care of.

What do you admire most about Pat?

Kathy Ditchkus (daughter): Her determination. I call her the Energizer Bunny, because no matter what, she just keeps going. 

Brian Junkins (grandson): She’s always there for family. They had a farm when I was growing up, and going there was always fun. I grew up in the suburbs. 

What hobbies do you have?

Pat Crosby: Knitting, I suppose. 

Kathy Ditchkus: They did a knitting thing here [at Brookdale Fairhaven] where they were going to do 100 stocking caps for the homeless. She knitted about 70 of them. 

Pat Crosby: I learned to knit from getting under the table and watching my grandma knit. 

Kathy Ditchkus: You probably learned when you were about 5. 

When do you feel most content?

Probably when I go to bed.