The century secret

Danette Goulet

COSTA MESA -- In her 100 years of living, Anna Pedersen has seen many

things, but she hopes to see one more before she goes -- peace.

“I was six days on life support in 1996,” Pedersen said. “In 1998 I had

fluid in my lungs -- 25 people died from pneumonia that year. But, I have

a mission -- helping peace on Earth.” Through her daily prayers, Pedersen

hopes to help make that idea a reality.

Pedersen celebrated with her family and neighbors at Casa Bella

Apartments Sunday in anticipation of her 100th birthday on Nov. 27.

“I haven’t known her that long but she’s a delight,” said Helen Kleiser,

her neighbor of three and a half years. “She is a model for everyone

here.”

Born in Denmark in 1899, she came to America at the age of 23 to join her

brother in Pasadena. She got a job as a nanny and went to night school to

learn English. It was there that she met her husband, Chris Pedersen, a

seaman from Denmark.

As her children related her past, Pedersen talked about how important it

is to be healthy, and the state of the world today.

“I say don’t knock our president -- pray for him,” she said. “The world

is big enough for everyone.”

Soon, she will have been alive for portions of three centuries. But she

still mothers her children -- now in their 70s -- jumping for vitamins

when they visit her, said her son Floyd.

“Her attitude is all about the future not about the past,” he said.

“She’s constantly wanting to do little chores -- she wants to be useful.”

The great-great-grandmother still does dishes, walks for exercise, and

tends the rose garden at the house of her daughter, Betty.

Pedersen is still active and curious about the going on in her community.

“She’s wonderful, amazing. She calls me every once in a while, especially

if she’s been away a few days, to find out what’s been going on here,”

said Theresa Russ, her neighbor of 16 years.

Pedersen is excited by the approach of a new millennium. No one around

her is surprised by her stamina for life.

Her son Floyd said their family has a history of longevity, but that Anna

Pedersen has outdone everyone else.

She gave her secret: “I’ve got a very good doctor. If he doesn’t know

what’s wrong, he calls a specialist.”