For 102-Year-Old Alexandria Woman, Hobbies Don't Have Age Limit

ALEXANDRIA, VA — Getting to experience every decade within a century is an impressive feat. But for centenarians like Helen Smith in Alexandria, her life now focuses on enjoying the moment.

Smith, a resident at The Landing senior living community in Alexandria's Potomac Yard, turned 102 on Sept. 15. Her milestone birthdays are still cause for celebration, with her family hosting a birthday for her at The Landing. She was also one of the centenarians recognized by the City of Alexandria ahead of Sept. 22's National Centenarian’s Day.

"Helen is a joy to be around," said Kim Jones, community life director at The Landing. "I look forward to seeing her each week at Happy Hour where she enjoys live music and wine with her neighbors. She certainly has made a positive impact on the community and I’m excited to see what 102 has in store for her."

Surpassing age 100 hasn't stopped Smith from doing the activities she loves. Smith thrives playing trivia on Friday's at The Landing's bar, attends Thursday happy hours and gets her hair done at the salon on Thursdays. Smith's daughter said she enjoys living as a centenarian at The Landing, where the living is easy.

Centenarians represent a small fraction of the U.S. population — 0.027 percent in 2021 — but numbers have been growing in recent decades. Centenarians like Smith are considered to be between 100 and 104 years old. Semi-supercentenarians are aged 105 to 109, while supercentenarians are aged 110 and above. About 85 percent of residents 100 and older are women, according to a Boston University Medical Campus study. Virginia had 1,572 centenarians 100 or older in 2019.