La Conner centenarian celebrates birthday at Retirement Inn

Trudy Newton enjoyed a five-star horoscope on Thursday.

That's nothing new for the woman believed to be La Conner's oldest resident. Hers has been a particularly blessed life and Newton's many friends here insist she generously shares those blessings daily.

They, in turn, shared well wishes and congratulations of their own during a special celebration of Newton's 107th birthday at La Conner Retirement Inn Nov. 2.

"She's a beautiful soul," Executive Director, Jeff Hendrickson, told the Weekly News.

Born during the presidency of Woodrow Wilson, days prior to his successful re-election in 1916, Newton is an endearing link between the storied Progressive Era of the early 20th century and today's evolving fast-paced digital world.

"Think of all the changes she has seen in her lifetime," Hendrickson said. "She was born into the world of the Model T."

Introduced by Henry Ford, the Model T was marketed as a simple, durable and affordable vehicle, selling for about $500, roughly what it now costs to fill the average Class A motorhome fuel tank.

One thing, though, has remained constant, according to Newton's friends and family and the Retirement Inn staff: her caring nature, perhaps best defined by Newton's decision while in her 60s to volunteer for the Peace Corps.

"She's built a lot of relationships with people here," Hendrickson said. Newton has been a fixture there for a quarter century, both as a resident and staff member. "Everybody has a lot of respect for her."

Newton, originally from Detroit, Michigan, was in La Conner in the 1990s when the facility was built on the site of Nelson Lumber & Hardware. She initially resided in the facility's cottage housing east of the main building. Newton possessed outstanding people and office skills in equal measure, leading to her recruitment as the receptionist.

Eventually she moved across the street into assisted living, while being of assistance herself with constant good cheer and entertaining stories of past travels and adventures.

"She's had a very interesting life. She doesn't sit still," said Newton's daughter-in-law, Sharon Macduff, who resides in the Dallas-Fort Worth area.

Macduff and her husband, Tom, one of Newton's three children, arrived on Halloween to help plan and coordinate last week's birthday bash.

"It's been a really busy couple of days," Sharon Macduff said.

The Macduffs visit several times a year, traveling to La Conner at least once every three months.

"You are her family, too," Tom Macduff told Retirement Inn residents as the party got under way. "You've been her family for a lot of years."

Macduff extolled his mother's exquisite handwriting, ability to play the organ and a mental acuity that saw her solve the daily New York Times crossword puzzle past her 100th birthday.

It turns out that Newton's centennial celebration at the retirement inn, in 2016, was truly one for the ages.

"Her family came out for her 100th birthday party," related Allie Kester, the life enrichment director. "Trudy told them then that she liked it so much here that she wanted to stay another five years."

Kester marveled at Newton's wit and sense of humor.

"There was the time," Kester recalled, "when Trudy came in for a manicure. She was told that for 'someone your age, you have beautiful nails.' I'll tell you something, Trudy answered, I have beautiful everything."

Befitting someone who has left age 100 in the rear-view mirror, Newton's sense of timing likewise is a thing of beauty.

"Thank you all for coming. Congratulations to me!" she chuckled as the one-hour party ended.

"We love you, honey!" someone in the roomful of partygoers exclaimed.

So much fun was had, in fact – with cake, coffee, lemonade and even champagne on the menu – that plans began taking shape for Newton's 108th birthday party in 2024.

"I'll see you next year," vowed John Breckenridge, as he ventured outside for an afternoon walk along the waterfront.

In the meantime, Newton's 107th won't soon be forgotten.

"She's such a comfort to everyone," Kester said of Newton. "Everybody came to show their support. When we let everyone know and set this up, they all came."