Still active at 99: Batavia woman marks milestone birthday

How does one reach the remarkable age of 99? All it takes is friends, family, and football. And a nightly nip of port wine doesn't hurt.

Janet Burke's appearance belies her many years. Always perfectly coifed and dressed to the nines, she wears a smile that is a welcome to everyone she meets.

When I first met her, I thought this lively little lady was enjoying her years as an octogenarian. What a surprise to learn that she was in her 90s. It was even more of a surprise to open my Facebook news feed and see Janet Burke at Sue's Family Hair Co. getting all dolled up for her 99th birthday.

Burke isn't on Facebook, but she still thought it was fun to hear from people who saw Sue Heidelberg's post. She didn't even mind that Sue took her picture with rollers in her hair. She just smiled a sparkling salon smile.

Janet Burke grew up in Bucyrus, Ohio, a bit of a tomboy with two younger brothers to share in her escapades. She loved sports and played both baseball and basketball.

"In those days, girls played basketball," said the former forward who measured in at 5-feet, 1-inch.

She spent her childhood years playing outdoors, doing the usual kid games like hide and seek, tag, and jacks.

She recalled a time when her brother, Arthur, knocked a baseball through a window. He immediately started running for fear of the punishment to come and Janet's dad started running after him. He got the spanking, but everyone felt the pain.

"Whenever anyone got spanked, we would all cry," Burke said.

Exercise was always important to her and up until a few years ago she exercised regularly with her daughter, Diane Land.

"I think she enjoyed the social aspect it as much as the exercise," Land said.

Throughout her life, Janet Burke had a circle of friends from her regular canasta group to her church circle. She believes that having the support of friends is important to longevity. That and keeping a positive attitude.

She also enjoyed playing the banjo and had the opportunity to share her talent on a Columbus, Ohio, radio station when she was in high school.

Like many in their 90s, she had to say goodbye to her husband, Bill, when he left for World War II. A new bride of one year with a newborn, she moved in with her parents for support. She remembers the joy of the end of the war.

"Everyone was in the streets. The people in cars were all honking their horns," she added.

When Bill returned he got a job with the Ben Franklin five and dime stores. The job brought the young couple to Illinois - first to Lockport and then to Batavia. Bill was responsible for opening the Ben Franklin store in downtown Batavia.

Even though she left Ohio behind, she never abandoned her beloved Ohio State football team.

"I never miss a game," said the sprightly football fan with the comfort of a Buckeyes blanket nearby.

Land remembered a time in Ohio when Burke was staying with relatives over an Ohio State weekend.

"My aunt called me and said that my mom wasn't feeling well, she was suffering from terrible indigestion," said Land. "I suspected a heart attack so I told her to call 911. It was a home game and the ambulance took her to Riverside Hospital which is near the stadium. She needed a stent but they said they couldn't do it until Monday because it was a game weekend."

Janet Burke lives with her daughter and son-in-law Luke (whom she describes as "a really good guy").

The family celebrated her 99th birthday with dinner at a local restaurant with friends.

What's planned for her 100th?

"I don't know," said Janet, "but I do know we will celebrate!"