By Sara Beth Williams–
Citrus Heights centenarian Dorothy Lunsford just turned 104 this week and celebrated her birthday with her family out at Folsom Lake, which her family says is one of her favorite spots “in the world.”
“The most extraordinary part is that Dorothy is still very active, full of life, and enjoys so many activities that seem impossible at her age,” granddaughter Heather Lunsford said in an interview.
For her birthday, one of Lunsford’s other wishes was to dye her hair strawberry blonde at a salon, which she was able to do a week before her birthday, her granddaughter said. Even at 104, Lunsford visits a salon regularly to get her hair and nails done.
Lunsford was born Sept. 1, 1922, grew up in Arlington, California, and lived a majority of her life after marriage, in North Highlands, California. Currently, she lives with her granddaughter in Citrus Heights in an attached ADU apartment.
In a birthday letter shared with The Sentinel, Lunsford says she still finds it hard to believe she’s over one century old.
“My mind insists I am still somewhere in my eighties still, and I have decided not to argue with it,” Lunsford writes, adding that longevity seems to run in the family. Her mother lived to be near 101, and her paternal grandmother lived to 105.
“Apparently, I inherited the good genes and have been putting them to very good use,” she writes.
In sharing memories, Lunsford said some of her happiest memories were boating at Folsom Lake with her husband and two boys, and other family and friends over the years.
“We taught more people to waterski than I could ever count, and I loved it so much that I kept skiing until I was 75,” Lunsford recalls. “These days, I prefer a nice float in the water. At 104, I believe I have earned the right to let the water do most of the work.”
Lunsford is widowed now, but has two grandchildren, two great-grandchildren, and three great-great-grandchildren, her granddaughter said.
“Grandma moved to Citrus Heights almost 20 years ago to be closer to the family, after my grandfather passed away in 2008,” Heather Lunsford said, adding that her grandmother has caregivers who come Monday through Friday.
“Our whole family participates. One of our caregivers is my niece by marriage, so it really is a family affair,” Lunsford said.
Two of her great-great-grandchildren, 10-year-old Mila and 7-year-old KayJay, “absolutely love” helping Great-Great-Grandma at the pool, getting her pajamas, and bringing her drinks and food, Lunsford said. They also enjoy making her cards and gifts, playing music, and telling her about their day.
The youngest great-great-grandchild, three-year-old Carson, lives in Washington state and “definitely knows who Great Great Grandma is,” Lunsford said, adding that they visit several times a year.
“He really likes to video call and talk to Great Great Grandma to say he loves her and tell her goodnight,” Lunsford said.
Dorothy Lunsford began working for TWA as a stewardess in 1945 and met her husband, US Air Force veteran Daniel Lunsford, at a military dance. The two married in 1946. Some years after getting married, she began her career as the matriarch of the family.
“Grandma planned everything. Cousins and family from all over came to holidays, reunions, camping trips, lake and boating days, and just drop-in visits, and Grandma planned, cooked, arranged sleeping areas, packed for all the trips, and just took care of everything,” Lunsford said, adding that she was the “pillar” of their family.
“She’s amazing and we all adore her,” Lunsford said.
Over the last year, the spunky centenarian has spent lots of time sunbathing, gardening, and visiting the McClellan Aerospace Museum, which is a familiar spot for her and her late husband. She also said she spent every holiday with her family and enjoyed plenty of barbecues, dinners, and luncheons with friends.
“Those little ones—and all the children, grandchildren, and great-grandchildren in between—keep life joyful, busy, and wonderfully full,” Lunsford said.
