Edna Phelps, Now 102 Years Old, Offers Secret to Longevity

In late March of 2011, Riverhead Patch sat down with 101-year-old Edna Phelps, a Calverton resident who grew up in Peconic.

Phelps is now 102, and after - where she worked, what she reads, and more - this year we were able to get her secret for making it past the century mark.

Last year, Phelps told us that she "just goes along with everything." Not this year. 

Riverhead Patch: How have you been Edna?

Edna Phelps: I've been good.

RP: So what happened in your 101st year?

EP: Nothing. Just got older.

RP: What do you do for fun to pass the time?

EP: My daughter takes me when she goes somewhere. We go to church. Go out for a bagel on Sundays. We go to see (my grandson) Matt at his drill meets.

RP: So tell me. What is the secret to getting to 102 years old? What do you tell people?

EP: I tell them the same thing – I wouldn't know. Staying sober. Don't drink. Don't smoke. Also, work every day. Maybe that's better. Then you get into no trouble.

It's so different today. The bigger bum you are, the better. Don't it seem so?

But I got a good grandson. I'm very proud of him. As long as he doesn't go down with some of the bums. He's got a nice group of kids. They're very nice.

RP: Is there anything you want to do this year?

EP: No. I just want to not bother anybody. As long as we go to church and that kind of stuff, we're OK.