Friends and change make Bigfork local 100 years young

There’s something special about Edith Wylie.

Her eyes are intent on giving their full attention to any visitor and her touch is soft, welcoming everyone into her life before they even get the chance to sit down with her.

And every person who came into The Garden Bar last Friday afternoon received the same gift for wishing her a happy 100th birthday.

It was a hand on the arm, a hug, kind words and a smile — not to mention a handful of Cheetos, as per Wylie’s five o’clock tradition.

Bowls of Cheetos, both puffed and traditional, were scattered around the patio. Wylie had a glassful of bourbon and water set on the picnic table where she greeted friends and family.

Cheetos and bourbon have been a tradition for Wylie since her kids left the house. She would have cocktails with her husband Gus while they watched the five o’clock news.

“And I just continued on,” Wylie said.

Her husband passed in 1982 at the age of 86, and Wylie now lives with her daughter Mariann Krummel in California. The family has spent summers at Wylie’s home in Bigfork since the 1970s, when the Wylies built their place on Flathead Lake.

Originally from Havre, Wylie taught school there and Gus worked in the school system as an administrator until their children moved to California. The Wylies followed suite, but not before purchasing the lakefront property.

“I couldn’t leave Montana without having a piece of it,” Wylie said.

Not only did she take a piece of it with her, she stayed a part of it as well. She volunteered with the Bigfork Art and History Museum from its inception until she was 90 years old. She was a member of the Bigfork Book Club until two years ago and just received her 50-year membership pin from P.E.O. (Philanthropic Educational Organization) International in Missoula.

It wasn’t that the Wylies didn’t like Montana, it was that their kids and grandkids no longer lived in Montana. So when it came time to retire, the Wylies moved to the Bay Area to spend time with family.

Family is an important part of Wylie’s life and her children, grandchildren and great-grandchildren all showed up for her 100th birthday celebration. And they all adore her.

“She’s with it,” said her 12-year-old great-grandson Matthew Timmons.

She has a Facebook page for keeping up with her friends and an iPad for staying up on her reading. Keeping pace with change and surrounding herself with grandchildren and great grandchildren is something Wylie said keeps her young.

“Especially the 1-year-old,” she said with a laugh about her newest great-grandchild. “Although, I don’t move very fast anymore, I have to call for somebody else when he’s getting away.”

Perhaps surrounding yourself with youth and adjusting to change is the key to aging gracefully, but having a history of good genes probably helps as well. Wylie’s mother lived to be 95 and her grandmother lived to be 98.

“My doctor kept telling me I was going to live to be 100, but I said I didn’t want to, and he said ‘you better get some younger friends,’” Wylie said.

And friends she does have, said Krummel. From all walks of life, young, old and in between. Krummel said it’s one of the things she admires about her mother.

“It’s because she has reached out to many,” Krummel said. “She’s kind to everyone.”