The Wisdom of a Century: ‘Oh, to Be 100 Again!’

In 44 more days, 103 year-old Starr Mitchell can boast that she’s been on Earth during three centuries.

Born in London in 1897, she was thrilled to turn 100. But, she can’t understand all the hoopla surrounding the new millennium.

“I don’t know what all the excitement is about. Every day is a day. Each [person] lives life the way they do,” said Mitchell, who lives alone in a Van Nuys retirement home.

Mitchell was one of two San Fernando Valley women crowned “queen” at a luncheon this week to honor senior citizens 90 and older held at the Friendship Auditorium near Griffith Park.

Dressed up and talking energetically with other guests, most of the 160 honorees looked and acted younger than 90 years old.

The annual event was sponsored by the Los Angeles Federation of Senior Citizen Clubs and the city’s Department of Recreation and Parks.

The other Valley senior citizen to be crowned, Marie West, appeared thrilled when Dist. Atty. Gil Garcetti placed a tiara on her head.

“I just keep hanging on,” said West, 102, an Iowa native who lives on her own in a Chatsworth senior apartment.

Anna Jackson, 102, who lives with her daughter in West Los Angeles, was also crowned “queen” by Garcetti, who said, “This is a real kick for me to do this.”

Ben Levinson of West Los Angeles, who still drives at the age of 104, was crowned “king” for the day.

“Oh, to be 100 again!” he said to the crowd.