Friends and family lined up to say hello and shake the hand of
Hazel Shy, a long time Gilroy resident, who turned 100 Wednesday.
Shy, dressed all in red with a white and purple orchid corsage was
surrounded by guests in the community room at the William and Inez
Mabie Skilled Nursing Facility in Hollister where they helped her
celebrate a century of life.
Hollister – Friends and family lined up to say hello and shake the hand of Hazel Shy, a long time Gilroy resident, who turned 100 Wednesday. Shy, dressed all in red with a white and purple orchid corsage was surrounded by guests in the community room at the William and Inez Mabie Skilled Nursing Facility in Hollister where they helped her celebrate a century of life.
Shy’s long-time pastor from the Gilroy Presbyterian Church read a biography and poems that family members wrote to remember all Shy has accomplished in her life.
Pastor Bruce Rowlinson read Psalm 100 and then he took on the role of a stand-in for President George W. Bush and First Lady Laura Bush, who sent a birthday card to Shy. Rowlinson read out loud an inscription written by the President in which he congratulated Shy on “leading a life great in years and in accomplishments.”
“Ooooooh,” Shy said, voicing her delight as she held the card up for the audience to see. Shy, who spent the morning visiting with relatives, often has trouble speaking when she tires.
After all the memories were shared, the crowd sang happy birthday and waited for Shy to blow out her three candles – in the shape of a one and two zeros. Shy’s three daughters gathered around to help her blow out the candles.
“She’s been a wonderful and caring grandmother,” said granddaughter Darbie Ricotti.
Daughter Rosanne Richardson seconded the sentiment, adding that Shy was also a wonderful friend.
The family held a pre-birthday celebration June 11 for family members and close friends who would not be able to make it to the weekday party.
“All the grandchildren and great-grandchildren work,” said Enos of the early to-do.
Shy has lived a long life worthy of more than one celebration.
She was born Hazel Agnes Rutherford in Portland, Ore. and she attended business school in her teens. She worked at Frigidaire, where she met Henry Shy. The couple married on her birthday in 1933.
They moved to Gilroy in 1942 and purchased 16 acres of land at the corner of Leavesley and Murray Avenues. The land became the Shy farm and the family raised milk cows, chickens, pigs and horses. Shy tended to the prune, fruit and walnut trees on the property and enjoyed canning the fruits and vegetables grown in her garden.
After her husband died in 1955, Shy went to school to become a nurse’s aid. She worked at Wheeler Hospital until she was 71 and was proud to have been awarded “Employee of the Year” in 1972.
Former coworkers from Wheeler Hospital recalled the years they shared with Shy.
“She was so dependable and so low key, but she did everything right,” Laverne Mathison said. “She was so loving. We never heard anything but good things about her.”
Despite her dependability, Shy did have a mischievous side. Enos shared a story of a time when Shy and another nurse’s aid dressed a male coworker up as a pregnant lady one night when work was slow.
“They rushed in, yelling and screaming, with him into the maternity ward,” Enos said. The maternity staff got a surprise when they came to examine the “pregnant” man.
After her retirement, Shy continued tatting – form of intricate lace work – painting, needlepoint and a variety of other hobbies she has enjoyed throughout her life.
Shy said she believes she has lived so long because she has been kind to others and has always made new friends. She remains the cornerstone of her family which includes daughters Rosanne, Maralee and Dora Jean as well as seven grandchildren, 10 great-grandchildren and one great-great-grandchild.
Melissa Flores is an intern, who recently graduated from the University of Southern California, in Los Angeles. Reach her at 842-6400, ext. 207 or [email protected].
