South Haven woman celebrates 108 years of life

SOUTH HAVEN, Mich — Family and friends gathered Tuesday to celebrate the birthday of 108-year-old Helen Sharp.

Sharp has lived in South Haven all her life and has been a resident at South Haven Nursing and Rehab for three years.

The party began with everyone singing happy birthday and a book-shaped cake made just for Sharp, as reading is her favorite past-time, according to her family.

"I like to read anything and everything," Sharp said.

In 2020, Sharp's birthday celebration was a lot different.

The COVID-19 pandemic prevented the family from entering the facility.

Instead, they celebrated her 105th birthday through the window.

"It was really hard trying to celebrate through the window. I mean they brought her out here but not actually being able to come inside and give her hugs and everything. It was hard," Brenda Crow, a family member of Sharp, said.

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Surviving both the COVID-19 pandemic and the flu pandemic of 1918, Sharp's family said she's not a quitter and has a love for life.

Her name "Sharp," is very fitting and her family said they continue to ask her what her secret is.

"Every year it’s just amazing, she just keeps going," Glenn Crow, a family member of Sharp, said. "We ask her all the time what her secret is and she can never give us an answer just clean living. Good clean living."

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Sharp has been spending some of her time taking trips to local restaurants and admiring the beach.

Her family said her goal is to reach the age of 110.