In her second century, Gig Harbor’s very, very senior citizen credits music, love, laughter

A sweet smile and infectious sense of humor was all it took for Norma Carlsson to reach the age of 105.

Carlsson, who was born on March 11, 1915, celebrated her 105th birthday on March 11. She has two daughters, six grandchildren, six great grandchildren, and two great-great grandchildren.

“I like being with children,” Carlsson said.

“I don’t have a secret,” to longevity, she said. “I had good parents and lots of laughter. Then I married a good fellow. He was a mathematician and a musician. He’s the only one I had, and he died young.”

Her husband, Charles Carlsson, died at 85.

Carlsson is a resident at Sound Vista Village, an assisted living facility in Gig Harbor. She’s the oldest person ever to live there, and may be the oldest citizen of Gig Harbor.

The good-looking side

Carlsson was born in 1915 in Walkerville, Ontario. She was the second daughter of Arthur Kelly and Alice MacLaurin. She said her father’s side, the Kellys, were the “good looking side” of the family.

“And your looks came from the Kellys,” interjected her daughter, Gretchen O’Halloran.

In 1933, Carlsson graduated from Ogdensburg Free Academy in New York. She then attended McMaster University in Hamilton, Ontario, majoring in social work.

During her working life, Carlsson was a social worker in Chicago. On June 14, 1941, she married Charles Carlsson.

“My parents had a wonderful life,” O’Halloran said. “They had a beautiful place at Longbranch. Mother knew all the birds.”

Carlsson said she loved going to Lake Chelan with her family during the summers. For fun she played tennis, skated, and swam.

“Now I just sit in the sun,” Carlsson said.

Music was always a huge part of her life. Whether it be her mother, who was a classical singer, playing opera in the house, or marrying a musician, she was always surrounded by the sounds of music.

She said the 1940s and ‘50s was when music flourished.

“I like the music of my age,” Carlsson said. “I’ve listened to the newer music, but don’t understand it much.”

On Dec. 23, 1942 Sandra Mory, their first child, was born. O’Halloran was born shortly after, on Feb. 17, 1944.

Oldest resident

Eleven years ago Carlsson moved into Sound Vista Village. At the age of 105, she is the oldest person to ever stay at the facility.

Lori Harvison, the resident care coordinator, said her and Carlsson hit it off very quickly.

“Me and this lady, we just have a good time,” Harvison said. “We sit and visit, and she reminisces with me every once in a while.”

Carlsson said she is very thankful to have Harvison at the facility.

“You are so good at everything you do,” Carlsson told Harvison. “And you give a pretty good bubble bath, it’s wonderful! But you as a person are extra nice.”

Carlsson said she never thought she would live to be over a century old.

“I used to think my grandfather was old at 75,” Carlsson said.

Carlsson said she doesn’t know how she continues to live, saying she does not suffer from any pain.

“And I sleep!” Carlsson added.

Read a lot, and don’t smoke

Carlsson said everybody should have a set of moral rules to abide by. Hers are simple: Don’t worry about the small problems, and have a good group of people by your side.

“And be polite to your elders,” Carlsson added. “Also, read a lot. Know what’s going on, and get to know the world as it is. Also, try to make some money if you can.”

Carlsson also said to avoid smoking.

“It effects your lungs,” she said. “It’s not a sin, but it effects your lungs.”

Carlsson saw many technological advancements in her life. Things such as the cell phone, radio, television, and the internet were invented in her lifetime, all of which revolutionized business, travel and daily life.

But Carlsson said one invention stands above the rest.

“The toilet was the best invention,” Carlsson said. “Way better than outhouses!”

This story was originally published March 11, 2020 at 12:00 AM.