My mother-in-law is a ‘SuperAger’ and has the memory of someone much younger. She says 3 things have kept her sharp at 104.

In June, my 104-year-old mother-in-law got a new battery for her cardiac pacemaker. A battery’s typical life is 10 years, so you get an idea of her resilience.

Mollie Ford is a “SuperAger,” meaning she has impressive memory function and word recall.

Mollie was born in England on March 8, 1921, and was adopted at five months. As an only child, her parents took her to Nairobi, Africa, and she learned to speak Swahili. At 7, she returned to England and was enrolled in boarding school, where she actively played music and sports.

Sometime, during the next four years, she met her older cousin, Frank, whom she eventually married. The couple moved to Haifa and baptised their firstborn child in Israel. In 1953, the family sailed across the ocean to make a home in Canada.

Decades later, she became my mother-in-law, and I’ve had the opportunity to get to know her over the years. Recently, she shared her tips for living long and staying sharp with me.

Everything in moderation

Mollie told me she loves chocolate, but she has the willpower to restrict herself to only one square each evening with her cup of tea. It’s impressive. The same is true of her one glass of wine (pinot grigio) with dinner.

She eats slowly and consumes fish, colorful vegetables, assorted nuts, and fruit for snacks. Mollie eats slowly and in moderation.

In her 80s, Mollie joined a gym to exercise a bit beside much younger people and took up clog dancing. She even tried the rowing machine, but decided it wasn’t for her. Every morning, she tended her garden, fed a special mix to the birds, and offered apples to the deer who visited her.

Though she can’t be physical anymore, Mollie still loves being out in nature. We try to slow down to feel it with her.

Brain function: use it or lose it

An avid reader, Mollie sped her way through books at twice my speed. Her love of historical fiction, a good story, and characters she understood made her hungry for more. Neighbors, friends, and family shared favorite books. Mollie always read, despite whatever was happening around her. I’ve tried and failed to have such deep concentration.

Sudoku and crosswords were her daily mental challenges. Mollie had an impressive vocabulary and credited crosswords. She worked on them so often that she began understanding the creators’ patterns. Her speedy completion was impressive.

Mollie also played piano on special occasions at her church for decades and was an active member of the handbell choir.

These days, whenever she hears a moving piece of classical music, her eyes close and her hands conduct.

Connections matters

Mollie was a born leader who always organized church bazaars, family trips, and celebrations. I never knew her to procrastinate, and she was an impressive planner. Thanks to Nana, our families went on two cruises that created forever memories.

When I asked Mollie the reason for her longevity, she answered without a beat: family. She’s proud of all of us and still stays up-to-date with our accomplishments.

Today, Mollie lives in a senior care facility because she’s had a couple of falls and some memory loss. She shares a room with three other women, a testimony to her generous spirit. She still lives on the west coast of Canada, where the ocean’s breeze and fresh air support her mind and body. Her legacy continues to enrich our lives.

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