LYNNWOOD—Marjorie “Maizie” Mays, a resident of Quail Park of Lynnwood Assisted Living facility, celebrated her 103rd birthday on Thursday, March 20—owing her health and longevity to her unbending positive outlook.
Mays has seen a lot of history in her day, from prohibition; to the Great Depression; to the dust bowl migration; to the second World War, the Vietnam War, the Korean War, and the Iraq War; to Civil Rights; to the invention of the internet and the first man on the moon.
She recalled celebrating the end of the Second World War in Pioneer Square, where she said hundreds of people congregated with glee, and watching Neil Armstrong take his first step on the moon from a small five-by-seven television.
Those were her favorite moments in history, she informed the Lynnwood Times, when “people were happy, kind to one another, and celebrating freedom.”
“It’s a different world now than what I’m used to,” said Mays.
Mays was born in 1922 and grew up on a five-acre apple ranch in Cashmere, Washington, developing a hard work ethic and active lifestyle from an early age.
After high school Mays moved to Seattle where she worked as a telephone operator for Ma Bell, earning $35 a month.
Her husband of 77-years, Roy, was a U.S. Marine during the war when they first met. His ship had docked in Bremerton for repairs and him, and his war buddies took a ferry over to Seattle for the weekend, where he met Maize Mays on a dance floor.
The two were married in San Francisco – where Roy was stationed – shortly after, on August 25, 1945. They lived In San Francisco until Roy was discharged from the Marines when they relocated to Washington to be closer to Mays’ family.
The couple built two homes together in Washington, one on Mercer Island, and another on Whidbey Island, which is still occupied by May’s grandson to this day.
May informed the Lynnwood Times her and Roy built the Whidbey Island home – a four bedroom, two bath with a garage – in a single weekend.
“We went up there Friday and we were locking the doors by Sunday,” said May. “We went up there with a couple cases of beer and ate hamburgers and built a house.”
Mays says the secret to her long and happy marriage was that she and Roy agreed, early on, that they would never argue – agreeing that it was a waste of time, and they were always right in their own way.
The couple spent their marriage traveling the world, hiking, skiing, and golfing. When asked where all of the countries she and Roy traveled, she replied it would be easier to say where they haven’t been. Her favorite countries visited were Switzerland and New Zealand.
“You have to keep active. That’s my motto and I have been,” said Mays.
Mays recalled the very last time her and Roy golfed, in their 90’s, when they had already made up their mind that it would be the very last game they would play before retiring for good. On their very first hole Roy hit a hole-in-one so the couple decided they would skip the rest of the course and get pizza and beer instead, ending their golfing career on a high-note.
“That was our finale, we gave our golf clubs away and that was it,” said Mays.
Mays and Roy raised two daughters. She now enjoys a large extended family of five grandchildren and ten great-grandchildren.
Tragically, Roy passed away two years ago. He was 101.
“He was a wonderful guy—nicest guy you’d ever meet. He was perfect,” said Mays. “I really miss him terribly.”
Mays spent her birthday week with non-stop parties, and seeing all her children, grandchildren, and great-grandchildren. She informed the Lynnwood Times that she enjoyed seeing everyone, but it was “exhausting” and she’s looking forward to some much-deserved rest.
Mays has been a resident of Quail Park of Lynnwood for the last four years. She said her favorite part of living there is the people and the level of care by its staff.
“The people that work here work their butts off. They’re hard workers, they’re wonderful people, and they’re very caring and very loving,” said Mays.
When asked what her biggest life lesson would be she replied to “learn” and “always see the best in people.”
“If you look and listen you can find the good in everyone,” said Mays. “You can’t judge anyone until you’ve walked in their moccasins and sleep in their tipi.”
Author: Kienan Briscoe
