A northeastern Oklahoma woman who turns 100 on Thursday also plans to celebrate her 25th birthday, according to reports.
Mary Lee Forsyth was born in Sand Springs on Leap Day, February 29, 1924, ABC7 reported. Given that her leap year occurs once every four years, Forsyth technically only celebrates her 25th birthday, even though she's over 100 years old.
Forsyth told ABC7 that she celebrated two or three birthdays on non-leap years, according to the report. That included celebrating with her late husband, William Wayne Forsythe, who was born on March 6, whom she met in high school.
“I always thought I was blessed,” Forsyth said. “It was fun. We celebrated whenever we wanted.”
Once, on William Forsythe's birthday, the two reportedly went to a diner that offered free breakfast to birthday celebrants. The server was skeptical of Ms. Forsyth's claim that she and her husband share a March 6 birthday.
“His birthday is March 6th, and my birthday is February 29th. And this year's calendar doesn't have the 29th. So I'm March 6th,” she wrote to the server. He said he told him. According to reports, the couple ate a free breakfast that day.
The couple were singers and performed with banjo bands in Tulsa communities and restaurants. Ms. Forsyth, of Alto, said of her late husband of nearly 70 years: He was handsome… “And he had a deep voice, and he was number one in the state in high school,” she was quoted as saying.
Forsyth was a mother of two, grandmother of five, great-grandmother of 11, a law firm secretary and an author, the report said. (Related: 100-year-old Pearl Harbor survivor gets attention for his Happy Birthday)
Mary Forsyth may be 100 years old tomorrow, but as a Leap Day baby, she's technically 25 years old. 🎂🎉🥳 https://t.co/6Xj0O94rND pic.twitter.com/KXZjzGDJod
— ABC7 Eyewitness News (@ABC7) February 29, 2024
“Mary Lee loves all things music and plays the piano and mandolin. Her favorite song is 'Sitting at the Feet of Jesus.' Mary Lee reminds us to read the Bible. We welcome her to the Oklahoma Centenarian Hall of Fame!'' said Oklahoma's nonprofit Centenarians. statement.
Forsyth lived his entire life in Sand Springs. according to Leader of Sand Springs.
Sand Springs Vice Mayor Beau Wilson proclaimed February 29, 2024 as Mary Lee Rogers Forsyth Day in Sand Springs and handed her the Mayor's Proclamation, Sand Springs leaders noted.
Forsyth is reportedly survived by seven siblings. The author of “You Are Amazing” reportedly said: I've always said I would live a long life. My aunt lived to be 107 years old and I plan to surpass her. ”
