When most people think of the past century they think of era icons, the world wars, the Great Depression; past presidents, entertainers, inventions and events.

For some, these historic names, dates and places are only recalled due to history classes, family stories or media entertainment, but for others, they are memories.

For Cec Carleton of Oak Harbor, the past century was life as she lived it. Born on March 6, 1904, Cec just celebrated her 100th birthday.

On Friday, March 4, the staff and administration at Oak Harbor’s Regency on Whidbey, the assisted living facility where Cec resides, threw her a centennial birthday party.

“I really appreciate all this,” she said at the party. “I don’t feel I deserve it at all, but it has been a most wonderful experience.”

Cec, who lived in Montana for most of her life, moved to Whidbey Island in 1994, and took up residence in Coupeville to be in closer to family.

In 2003, Cec came to live at Regency.

“It seemed the ideal place to come,” she said. “I really enjoy life here.”

At the party, well-wishers flocked around Cec to wish her the best.

Curtis Hoffman, who also lives at Regency and is usually one of Cec’s meal partners, stopped by the table where Cec sat enjoying her celebration lunch with family members. He wished her a happy birthday.

“Wish me a happy birthday on Sunday,” Cec said jokingly. “That’s my birthday.”

They both laughed, and an undaunted Hoffman still wished her a happy day just the same.

“Well happy pre-birthday,” he said.

When asked how many years he has known Cec, Hoffman smiled and said “less than 100 years,” but then he added that he has known her since he came to live at Regency a few years ago.

“She’s very outgoing and very likable,” he said.

Family members and friends sang old fashioned and classic songs for Cec and enjoyed the celebration in her honor. Enjoying the festivities so much, several of Regency’s older residents calculated among themselves how many more years they had until they got a centennial celebration as well.

Regency staff members used Cec’s determination to stay healthy and care for herself to inspire older Regency residence.

“Cec comes to exercises every day, Monday through Friday,” Regency Marketing Director Heidi Kuzina said. “And if she misses, either she has an appointment or is really not feeling well. She is one of our most faithful exercisers.”

Kuzina also said that Cec walks for 45 minutes each day.

“She’s a marvelous lady; she’s a jewel,” fellow resident Jerry Hagen said. “And it is amazing that she can do what she’s doing at her age.”

Cec still enjoys doing crossword puzzles, which she completes with her collection of Spanish, German, Latin and other dictionaries. She also enjoys writing letters, reading mystery and detective books, listening to music, and spending time with her family and the friends — a great many of which make up her list of approximately 50 letter writing correspondents, whom she faithfully responds to.

“Part of the reason that I enjoy life so much is because of the wonderful people that I know,” she said.

She said she never expected to live this long, but since she has, she said she plans to continue to enjoy life to the fullest.

One thing she said she does want to see in her life is the end of the the war in Iraq. She said her 100th birthday wish is for the safe return of all of the U.S. troops to their homes and families.

Aside from that, she said she is content and couldn’t ask for more.

“I don’t think I’ll be around another 100 years, but the first 100 were wonderful,” she said.