May 22, 2023

Longevity Secrets From 4 Brookdale Residents

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According to the World Economic Forum, as of 2021 the United States was home to more than 95,000 centenarians – making the U.S. the country with the highest absolute number of centenarians in the world. But a long lifespan isn’t all about locale.

Beyond location, unsurprisingly, diet is another factor that sets many centenarians apart. The Mediterranean diet is the most common eating style in Sardinia, Italy, where there are ten times as many centenarians per capita as in the U.S. – possibly because of their diet: a study suggests that diets like theirs, which emphasize fresh produce, can potentially add a whopping 13 years to a person’s life.

But even so, living a long, healthy life is about much more than location and diet. Just take it from a few of Brookdale’s oldest, most remarkable residents.

Read on for their advice on how you can live a long, fruitful life – without just focusing on fruits and veggies.

“Never hold grudges or hate.”

Charlie Burrell is a man of many names. To some, he was known as “Charlie Burrelli,” back when he employed an Italianized version of his name to get gigs at segregated nightclubs. To others, he is “Mr. Music.” But to most, he is known as “the Jackie Robinson of Classical Music,” the musician credited with the integration of the American classical scene as the first African American to sign a permanent contract with a U.S. major symphony orchestra. When asked in an interview with 9News.com (Denver, Colorado) if he ever held grudges over the obstacles he faced while navigating a segregated industry, the centenarian had these wise words to offer:

“No, not at all. My mother taught me early in life [to] never hold grudges, or hate, and I didn’t. And all I want to do is say be yourself, and don’t hate people, and think about tomorrow, and not today, and see what you can do — and thank God for being here on this earth.”
— Charlie Burrell (100), Brookdale Lowry

“I try to do those things that help me to stay able to enjoy life.”

Edith James is many things — a teacher, a veteran and a centenarian. And as of her 104^th birthday last November, she is now believed to be the oldest living veteran in the state of Mississippi. When asked in an interview with Will Polston of WDAM7 (Moselle, Mississippi) for her secret to a long life, she had this advice to offer:

“I’ve been exercising for about 35 years, and I try to do those things that help me to stay able to enjoy life.” — Edith James (104), Brookdale Hattiesburg

“Love everyone as much as you love yourself.”

Edith Renfrow Smith lived a chapter in history that most Americans have only read about. She met Amelia Earhart, was acquainted with Muhammad Ali, and even knew jazz legend Herbie Hancock as a baby. But more than being a part of history, Renfrow Smith went on to make history herself. Edith Renfrow Smith is the first Black student to graduate from Grinnell College, where an art gallery is now named in her honor. In a profile by Neil Steinberg for the Chicago Sun-Times, when asked for words of advice, she had this to say:

“What they need to do, is the thing that Jesus said: ‘Love everyone as much as you love yourself,’” she says. “You [can] dislike what people do, but love the individual.… Just remember, this is a wonderful world, and you need to take care of it.”
— Edith Renfrow Smith (108), Brookdale Lake View

“Life begins at 90.”

When thinking of love, many associate it with youth — there’s “young love,” there’s “puppy love,” and there are “schoolgirl crushes” — but Earle Murie and Laurette Gallo are living proof that true love knows no age. Eighty-four years ago, the two were high school sweethearts. Now – two spouses, several children, 79 years and one over-the-phone proposal later – the two are married and honeymooned on a cruise in Hawaii. In a profile of the two by Steven Mayer for Bakersfield.com, when asked how Laurette knows they are in love, she had this to say.

“[We know by] the longing to be together.… Life begins at 90.”

— Earle Murie (93) and Laurette Gallo (94), Brookdale Riverwalk

And maybe, just as 25% of all centenarians reportedly believe, it’s her positive perspective exemplified here that made her life so healthy, happy and long.

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