Some say you are only as old as you feel, and that would certainly fit Agnes Keiper of Saylorsburg.

On Saturday her family and friends gathered for the Saylorsburg woman’s 100 years young birthday party at the Wind Gap Fire Co. Social Hall.

“It wasn’t a surprise because I happened to hear a few things that made me think they were planning me a birthday party. I just came right out and told them I knew what they were up to,” she said.

If you didn’t know her and you walked into the crowded social hall, you would probably not be able to pick her out because she was mingling with all her guests and enjoying every minute.

Keiper was a boss in a blouse factory and did not retire until she was 79 years old.

“I only retired because my husband became ill and I wanted to take care of him,” she said, and added, “My husband and I were married for 72 years.”

She said that it was different back when she got married. Her advice to young people is they should ask themselves why they want to marry the person, and if they have anything in common.

Colorful life

When she was younger and wasn’t married she had quite a life.

“I was a missionary in the United States and Canada and I sang and played the guitar at the places we traveled to, and also sang and played my guitar in New York City.

Keiper now lives in an apartment in Saylorsburg in her daughter, Sharon Honey’s home, not far from her son Alvin Keiper, who also lives in Saylorsburg. Her daughter Maxine Shaffer lives in Jonas and her third daughter, Amy Moore, traveled from her home in Indiana to celebrate her mother’s birthday.

She doesn’t have a bucket list and said she has done everything she wanted to do.

Keiper is thankful for her family and friends, especially her 18 grandchildren, and as packed as the social club was, it seems her friends and family are thankful for her.

Her last advice to everyone was, “I read my Bible and pray every night. Then I put it on my night stand so if I can’t sleep I have something good to read.”