At 104th birthday, Salem resident recalls lifetime of music and community
From prohibition to World War II to the Moon landing, a lot has happened since 1921.
Nellie Watson has seen it all.
The longtime Salem resident celebrated her 104th birthday at The Springs at Lancaster Village on Friday, April 11, joined by her neighbors and staff in the retirement community.
The woman of the hour wore a glittery gold “birthday girl” sash, and deftly parked her motorized wheelchair next to friends at the side of the room. She accepted a glass of Moscato, and sipped it while taking in the social scene as notes from a muted trumped danced from a speaker.
Watson has lived at The Springs for 23 years, many of them alongside her sister who died last year at age 105.
Her friend and neighbor, Bernice Ensminger, said Watson is down-to-earth and has a great sense of humor. She said Watson has taught her about the value of patience.
Together, the pair make up half of “the foursome” who frequent the card tables and share meals together at The Springs.
“I don’t know the words to describe her, but I know that I really like her,” Ensminger said.
In over a century of life, Watson said that some of her favorite memories are trips to the Oregon Coast, where she clammed and crabbed.
“I loved all the outdoor things,” Watson said.
Watson lived in Silverton for 52 years, and worked at Silverton Union High School and as the secretary for the district’s superintendent, she said.
Outside of work, she was a prolific host of barbecues, a member of the Eastern Star Masonic organization and very involved in church, including Salem First Christian Church, when she moved from Silverton.
When asked about her favorite music from the past century, Watson smiled.
“My husband was a professional musician, so I enjoyed his band,” she said. He played the baritone saxophone, and the two would go out dancing.
They had two children together. Watson is a grandmother of six and great-grandmother of six more. Her son plans to visit from Texas this Mother’s Day.
Staff at The Springs asked the partygoers to think of words to describe Nellie, to write on a board at the front of the room. Top choices were “energetic” and “extraordinary.”
When someone shouted “naughty,” the staff member turned to Watson for approval, pen hovering over the board. Watson gave a slow nod, with a smirk. Thus, “naughty” was added to the list.
After the activity, the residents enjoyed carrot cake brought by Watson’s niece.
When asked what she looked forward to in her 104th year, Watson didn’t hesitate.
“Dying,” she said, with a hearty laugh.
Contact reporter Abbey McDonald: [email protected] or 503-575-1251.
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Abbey McDonald joined the Salem Reporter in 2022. She previously worked as the business reporter at The Astorian, where she covered labor issues, health care and social services. A University of Oregon grad, she has also reported for the Malheur Enterprise, The News-Review and Willamette Week.
