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Rosella Mathieu, 100, passionate about life! |
Rosella describes herself as
a "pioneer herbist." The eldest of six
children, her parents were Hungarian
immigrants. She lived in Ohio until age 95,
then moved to California to be near her son,
13 grandchildren and great grandchildren,
with whom she is very involved.
Rosella met her late husband,
Aaron, when they were freshman at Ohio State
University in 1925; they married secretly
while in college. He was an editor and
publisher. She created the Fragrant Herb
Farm, where she grew fragrant plants and
flowers and turned them into potpourris,
which she sold. Later, at her husband's
urging, Rosella wrote a book titled "Herb
Growers Complete Guide" (1951), which
focused on fragrant plants and flowers that
keep their scents when dried. She was a
popular speaker at garden and flower clubs
in her area of specialty.
Pointing out that her love of
herbs was something she cultivated in middle
age, Rosella encourages others to find their
"passion" for something that will maintain
their interest in later years. For over half
her life, Rosella has been growing, selling
and writing about herbs, as well as
experimenting with preserving their
fragrances. In 1998, she was honored as the
oldest living member of the Herb Society of
America. She plans on contributing to the
society her "mountains of research" on
preserving fragrances. |
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Rosella believes that the combination of a
healthy diet, keeping active and cultivating
close relationships with friends, as well as
family, are important ingredients to
enjoying one's senior years. "I was married
for 70 years,” she says. “I'm used to having
a man in my life. It's very important when
you're older and lose dear ones that you
have someone really close to you." She is
also a proponent of "second love," romantic
relationships in later years. She is
heartened to see it becoming more acceptable
and joins a growing number of elders who are
just saying no to loneliness in later years. |
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Always active, Rosella played tennis until
she was 80 and swam until age 90. Walking is
now her exercise. She says: "I think you
must keep walking, even if one has to use a
walker. You can't give up exercises you're
accustomed to."
Although she acknowledges the
changes in her physical activities over the
years, her mind is sharp, helped by her
interest in others and in the world around
her. Her advice: You have to be alert and
open.
Overcoming obstacles
Rosella has had arthritis
since she was seven and has struggled with
other life-long ailments, but she hasn't let
them stop her from enjoying life to the
fullest. At 100, she maintains a keen
interest in what's happening in the world
and particularly in medical advances, both
traditional and holistic. She credits her
brother, Milton Feher, an internationally
known classical dancer, who taught her a
great deal about health and pain control,
based on his experience and the system he
devised to control the pain from spinal and
knee injuries he sustained in his 20s, which
almost ended his career. Milton developed a
method of relaxation, using the power of the
brain to maintain health and later founded a
dance studio in New York City teaching his
method of relaxation. Coincidentally, Lynn
Adler, founder of NCAP wrote about Milton in
her book "Centenarian: The Bonus Years"
(Health Press). Following is an excerpt
about Milton.
In New York City, former professional dancer
Milton Feher has also developed a
combination of exercise, relaxation, and
dance that he has been teaching for almost
fifty years. Milton was forced to retire
from the Broadway stage in 1941 due to
arthritis in his knees. “It happened all of
a sudden," he tells. Milton’s very
successful career, performing in such
popular shows as Song of Norway and
I’d Rather be Right by George M.
Cohan, was cut short in its prime by the
affliction that limits so many older people.
“I then developed a way to cure myself after
I gave up on doctors," he explains, “and
I’ve been teaching people of all ages ever
since. The concept is to relax into a
straight line and to keep the body centered.
The problem people have, and the reason so
many older people fall, is that people are
moving their weight off their feet. The key
is to always feel that your body is resting
on your feet and not let it get away from
you. It sounds simple, but it takes
concentration and practice."
Present activities
Rosella has been
keeping a journal of her journey through her
later years and is contemplating writing a
book of her experiences as a guide to
others. "It's hard to get answers to
questions you have as you get older,” she
says. “I think that's one thing I can make a
contribution on." She cares passionately
about others, particularly as they enter the
uncharted territory of life after 80.
Currently,
she is at work revising her for herb
growers. "I like keeping busy and this is
one way for me to apply a principle of my
life: When you help people to help
themselves, you also help yourself."
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