USA: New Centenarian Knows Right Steps To An Old Age

Ex-teacher dancing way to century mark PHOENIX, ARIZONA (The Arizona Republic), October 19, 2005: Florence Gibson plans to dance past 100 years old with style and grace. Gibson, who turned 100 Oct. 12, has been a dancer, a teacher, a student and a wife (three times). Now she is a resident of The Place at Gilbert, an assisted living facility where she lives among friends who gathered to celebrate the milestone birthday of the woman they've affectionately nicknamed "Toy." "I think she's awesome," said Trish Tyo, activities director at The Place. "She's very self-sufficient, and she has a wonderful sense of humor." Ask Gibson about her birthday and you'll glimpse that sparkle of good humor - she's got several years to go before she turns 100, she insists. She was born in Provo, Utah, and married a college sweetheart right after graduating from Brigham Young University. She taught physical education in Salt Lake City for several years. "It wasn't that I liked teaching, but I graduated college and thought, 'I'd better do something,' " she said. Her blunt nature likely served her well as an educator, but the healthy lifestyle of a PE teacher is one of the secrets of her longevity. "I am healthy because I live right and I try to obey the health rules that I know I should follow," she said. "I'm actually trying to get back to being a person that's on a schedule." She's outlived three husbands, several moves and all of life's surprises. And she still has a song in her step, friends say. That's because her true love has always been dance. Oldies, big band - anything with a beat. Her friends plan to break out some of her favorites for tonight's celebration. "Oh, yes, I love to dance," she said. By Cary Aspinwall The Arizona Republic