Kathryn Pyatt’s lived a century, but she has never seen the ocean. That will change Tuesday. Although by then, she’ll be into her second century.
“Don’t bother me at all.” That’s what Pyatt has to say about her impending 100th birthday.
The Michigan native with the white poof of hair didn’t think she’d live so long. But she’s pretty healthy and looks a decade younger than her 99 years. She uses a walker and takes a couple medications but nothing too big.
Still, she says she doesn’t have any secrets to her longevity.
Renton’s Ferndale Court Family Adult Home has been Pyatt’s home for about three years. She moved to the area from Ferrysburg, Mich., after the death of Neil, her husband of 68 years. Pyatt married Neil at 19. Before marrying, she worked a few months at an underwear factory.
She moved to Ferndale Court in the Renton Highlands to be near her daughter Shirley. Pyatt has two other children, “tons” of grandchildren and some great- and great-great grandchildren, too.
Pyatt’s housemates call her “The Scrabble Queen.” She’s also quite a shark at the card game Phase 10.
Sitting in chairs tied with balloons and with leis around their necks, Pyatt and her Ferndale Court friends celebrated her almost-birthday last week. After Friday’s weekly Bingo session, the crew sang “Happy Birthday” to Pyatt, and watched as she and her breath took on 100 fiery candles. It took a couple blows, but she extinguished that bonfire.
Pyatt is Ferndale Court’s first 100-year-old.
“I think she’s great. They’re all pretty special here,” says Karen Austin, registered nurse and Ferndale Court owner.
Austin will hold another birthday party for Pyatt Sunday, with surprise entertainment and lots of food.
After that, Pyatt’s real birthday, and the ocean.
As long as it’s sunny, Pyatt will make the trip to Ocean Shores Tuesday with her friend and housemate Del Coleman and Myrna and Dick Selzer. Myrna is Coleman’s daughter.
The Selzer’s promised Pyatt three years ago that they would take her to the ocean on her 100th birthday.
“Yes, that would be fun,” Pyatt says of her first trip to the ocean. “Something different.”
