Century Club: Safety Harbor Senior Living Resident Celebrates 100th Birthday

Safety Harbor Senior Living resident Nel Jordan celebrated her 100th birthday on Wednesday, and it's no exaggeration - or insult - to say she doesn't look a day over 70.

The centenarian, who was born on March 27, 1913 in Colquitt, GA, has recovered nicely from two recent falls, one of which forced her daughter, India Gay, to move her mother into the Main Street facility after living in Clearwater for nearly seven decades.

"We didn't want to mover her, but her condition left us no choice," Gay, who lives in California and flies out every two months to visit her mom, said.

"She's always been very independent, so this was a very difficult step to get her in here."

Gay says Jordan's independence goes back to her raising three kids on her own, while operating a seamstress shop in downtown Clearwater, at a time when that sort of lifestyle was frowned upon.

She also said her mom did some modeling back in the day.

Despite the falls, which left her with an artificial hip, Jordan is in excellent health and spirits.

And even though she suffers some hearing and sight loss, she's as sharp as anyone you'll meet, regardless of age.

"I feel fine," she said when asked what it felt like to turn 100. 

Gay says the secret to her mother's good health is a simple one.

"Moderation is her motto. Everything in moderation."

In fact when asked how she dealt with the pair of birthday parties held in her honor this week, Jordan was matter-of fact when she said, "I can handle it. They didn't include alcohol."

Related:

• Quality Care Top Priority at Safety Harbor Senior Living

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