Three generations gathered at the Rehabilitation and Healthcare Center of Cape Coral on Del Prado Boulevard Monday afternoon to celebrate Rachel Justice’s 105th birthday.
“It is a wonderful party here,” Justice said.
She was born in the Poconos Mountains in 1906 and then moved to Philadelphia with her family a few years later via a horse and buggy to attend a public school.
Justice has two children, Ginny Holland and Ted Walton, seven grandchildren, 11 great grandchildren and one great great grandchild.
When asked what some of her fondest memories were of her colorful life, she said there were so many she did not know where to start.
“My high school years were active and enjoyable,” Justice said, smiling.
Her daughter said one of her fondest memories was when she went fishing with her mother and grandmother at Ocean City, New Jersey. Holland said they went crabbing on her father’s boat.
“We went out in the ocean; she loved the water,” she said.
Walton said he remembers traveling to Florida every spring to spend Easter vacation on Anna Maria Island. He said they traveled by ferry to the island, and by train.
Lucy-Kate Walton, Ted’s wife, said one thing that has always stood out to her about Justice is she has never said goodbye. She has always said so long for now, goodbye for now and see you later, Lucy-Kate said.
Her granddaughter, Karen Spencer, also joined the party Monday afternoon. She said since she lives in Cape Coral she visits her grandmother at least a couple of times a week.
Spencer also reminisced about some of her memories she has had with her grandmother growing up.
“She was the best cook,” Spencer said. “She made the best roast beef.”
She remembers traveling to Ocean City and watching the beauty pageant every year with her grandmother, along with playing Kings in the Corner.
Justice has lived at the Rehabilitation and Healthcare Center for nine years. Before moving into the facility, she lived with her son for 15 years in Winter Park and her daughter for seven years in Cape Coral.
She said the years she spent with her son were wonderful because of the amount of time she had to spend with her grandchildren.
Holland said her mother is very independent and strong-willed.
Justice loved to play bridge, tennis, golf, bowling, along with fishing and dancing.