100-Year-Old Virginia Smith Says Every Day Should be a Birthday

On her 100th birthday, Virginia “Genny” Smith declared that every day should be a birthday. The former WWII Army nurse celebrated her centennial birthday with her daughter Peggy Melie and granddaughter Molly Foley at Barrington Terrace in East Naples, on Monday, January 17.

“We should have a birthday every day,” Smith said enthusiastically. “Wouldn’t that be something.”

For her birthday, Melie brought her mother a cheeseburger and fries from McDonald’s. "That’s her favorite meal," Melie said.

“Yeah, that’s right,” Smith said happily. “I like that. Woo woo woo.”

Smith then broke into a beautiful version of God Bless America.

“God bless America, the land that I love,” Smith said as she enjoyed a chocolate cupcake following her meal. And since she’s 100, she was allowed to dip into the icing with her finger. “This icing is so good," she said with a smile. Melie and Foley then joined Smith in a couple of verses of her favorite patriotic song.

“I love parties,” Smith said, “it makes everybody happy. Oh, what a beautiful day. Who could be happier than this? I love you, I love you, I love you, I do. Happy birthday Virginia. How ‘bout that!”

“The reason she’s 100 is because of Barrington Terrace,” Melie said. “This facility is just awesome. It’s beautiful.”

“These people,” Foley said, “have become like her extended family. I can’t say enough about it.”

“Are we going to have a party tonight?” Smith asked hopefully. “I don’t know, three Martinis. Whoo, whoo. Now that’s what you call a birthday. Boy oh boy, when we start having a birthday, it will take us at least a month. Just a month to say happy birthday to all of you, from far, far away. Let’s say hallelujah hallelujah, let’s go ahead and play!”

Oh, if we could all be as enthusiastic as Genny was on her 100th birthday.