They say music heals the soul. That’s why Annabelle Jaffe loves to play the piano. She started learning a few years ago.
On Sunday, she was playing for herself — to celebrate her 104th birthday.
When asked how it felt to make it to 104 years old, she said, “The man upstairs can answer that. I don’t know. I’m just lucky.”
Jaffe’s family traveled to her home in Rockville, Maryland from far and wide to celebrate the big day.
She was born May 11, 1922.
“I’m just grateful that I have a wonderful family of children, nieces, nephews,” Jaffe told News4.
It was also a Mother’s Day celebration. Jaffe had one son, Barry, who sadly passed away in his early 60s in 2012.
News4 did a story on her about 10 years ago, when she was 94.
After working as a counselor for Montgomery County Public Schools for 60 years, she came out of retirement to substitute teach and continued to substitute until the pandemic.
“At my age you have to have a reason to get up everyday and this is my reason,” she told News4 10 years ago.
The City of Rockville is also honoring Jaffe on her 104th birthday. The city issued her own proclamation.
Sandra Manning, Jaffe’s aunt, told News4 she believes her aunt’s kindness has kept her going.
“We used to call her the energizer bunny because she just never stopped, and I think a lot of why she’s still here is because she just never stopped,” she said.
News4 asked Jaffe what her secret is.
“Just doing whatever you have to do, doing it with enthusiasm,” she said. “Loving your work. Knowing that everyday you get up. You’re grateful to God for giving you another day.”
from Local – NBC4 Washington https://ift.tt/auokKB9
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