THE VIRGINIAN-PILOT
Copyright (c) 1995, Landmark Communications, Inc.
DATE: Thursday, November 9, 1995 TAG: 9511070108
SECTION: NORFOLK COMPASS PAGE: 14 EDITION: FINAL
SOURCE: BY JOAN C. STANUS, STAFF WRITER
LENGTH: Medium: 60 lines
At 101 years of age, Virginia East admits her hands just aren't as nimble as they used to be.
Her eyesight isn't what it once was either.
But those ``little nuisances'' haven't stopped this Norfolk centenarian from pursuing her love of making crafts. She pumps out intricately made yarn-covered tissue boxes, miniature houses, Christmas ornaments, needlepoint crosses and beaded jewelry as fast and skillfully as anyone half her age.
``Whenever I try to make something, I try to make it right ... I don't skip steps,'' the Bayview resident said. ``It's something I like to do to pass the time. I spend all my spare time doing this. I just like it.''
East recently displayed her crafts at the Ocean View Senior Center's Crafts for all Seasons show, held last weekend. She was one of a dozen artisans who showed their woodwork, flower arrangements, ceramics and folk art. Most are involved in the center's Friday morning craft club.
``Mrs. East is one of our oldest participants and one of the most active,'' noted Gail Burton, recreation supervisor for the center. ``For the last five years, she has spearheaded a project we do to make afghans for area nursing centers. Each year we distribute them to about four different homes. Mrs. East personally makes over half of the afghans on her own ... and then she goes with us to give them out.
``I find her remarkable. She still lives on her own and does it all. She's an inspriation. We just love her here.''
Although she uses a walker to get around, East cooks for herself, does her own laundry and some housework, and even catches the bus to attend the craft club each week.
``She's a miracle,'' notes her best friend, Dorothy Fischer, a ``youngster'' at 86. ``She's got tables of this stuff she makes.''
But East dismisses her lifestyle as anything extraordinary, noting that her secret to longevity is simple: ``You just have to live right,'' she said. ``Don't drink and don't smoke ... and stay busy. I guess that's my secret.''
A mother of five children, she's outlived all but two, and she's got more great-grandchildren than ``I can count,'' she said. She's even got a few great-great-grandchildren.
But despite a scare with breast cancer about 25 years ago and ``typical'' problems associated with aging, East said she remains in ``pretty good health, for someone my age.
``The doctor told me, 'When Judgement Day comes, we'll have to knock you in the head,' '' she recalled with a chuckle. ``But the other one just told me to keep on fighting.
``So, that's what I've been doing. I've been fighting. I just take it day-by-day. It's a mystery to me why I've lasted so long. I never dreamed I'd live to be more than 100. But I did. I just keep living.'' ILLUSTRATION: Staff photo by BILL TIERNAN
At 101, Virginia East is still making crafts and displaying them.
KEYWORDS: CENTENARIAN by CNB