WILBRAHAM – Orchard Valley at Wilbraham, an assisted living facility, hosted a monumental birthday party for one of their residents, Helen Morris, on July 27. Though Morris turned 101 on July 29, she is not the only centenarian at Orchard Valley. In June, Genvieve Ziemian also turned 101. In April, Helen Auger celebrated her 107th birthday, and is believed to be the oldest person in Wilbraham.

Morris was born on July 29, 1917 to her parents Ralph and Sarah Carew. She grew up in Monson, and has spent much of her life in Western Massachusetts, though she lived in Maine for 20 years. Morris graduated from UMass Amherst in 1938.

An active 101-year-old, Morris enjoys reading, using her computer and traveling. Morris married her husband Robert on Sept. 3, 1938. Robert was a teacher and later an insurance agent. Between the two, they had two children, six grandchildren and 12 great grandchildren.

Orchard Valley welcomed local media to the celebrations, which included an official proclamation from state Rep. Angelo Puppolo provided by Cherie Spinks on his behalf. Morris, along with her friends and family at Orchard Valley, enjoyed a champagne and ginger ale toast followed by a birthday cake.

The Reminder had the opportunity to sit down with Morris for a question and answer interview to discuss the lessons she’s learned over the past 101 years and the advice she wants to pass on to future generations. The following is an edited interview discussing finances, relationships, work and health.

The Reminder: A common problem people face today is getting into debt, whether it be credit card or from student loans. How do you suggest people keep themselves financially afloat?

Morris: Save enough money for the end, because it takes a lot. Don’t spend money on unnecessary things or things that are just for your own achievement and will disappear too quickly.

The Reminder: You were married to your husband for 58 years, how did you keep the romance alive after all of those years?

Morris: Well, we did a great many things together that we loved doing. We did a lot of traveling, almost every state. Then we went on several trips to Europe and enjoyed that too. We were fortunate to be happy doing things together and had similar interests.

The Reminder: How do you think the workplace has changed for women over your lifetime?

Morris: Oh, tremendously because women were told not to work during World War II because they wanted men to be the breadwinners of the family, they cut down on women working thinking that the husbands would do it. I think that the young women today have the opportunity to go as high as they want to go or they can try to. They don’t have to take lower positions if they’re qualified for higher positions. I know that in several families, women have very responsible positions, they’re CEOs of their companies and the like. They are able to go as high as they are capable of going.

The Reminder: What advice would you give to women who may be middle aged and may be feeling unfulfilled in their career?

Morris: Oh, don’t be afraid to try something new!

The Reminder: Is there anything you’ve done over the years health-wise that you think has helped get you to your monumental age? What would you suggest people do health-wise to keep going?

Morris: I think probably my health is possible because I come from a family that has lived a long while. I also think that personally, I have watched my diet and tried to keep healthy in that manner. I think also that exercise is important.

The Reminder: What is the best piece of advice you were ever given?

Morris: Maybe it comes from a small picture that used to hang over my bed as a child. It said, “There’s nothing against you to fall down flat, but to lie there, that’s a disgrace.”