For centenarian residents Shirley Worobow Dorn and Betty Levin, a century of living is a master class in staying curious, showing up for people and seeing the world with open eyes. It’s savoring moments that spark laughter and connection and letting gratitude light each day.
Julianne Arvizu, Director of Life Enrichment for The Carrington, sat down with them recently to capture centenarian meaning in action: Betty’s grace and gratitude, Shirley’s curiosity and courage. Here are their stories:
Betty Levin: Grace, Gratitude and God
When Julianne asks Betty for advice on healthy living, the centenarian is prepared. She smiles and reads a list that championed clear, positive choices. These include healthy habits that exclude alcohol, tobacco and drugs. She encourages young people to listen to their mothers and keep learning. Her life principles are simple and strong. Be respectful.
On the topic of the best part of turning 100, she lights up and talks about family—especially the joy of seeing her children, grandchildren and great-grandchildren thrive as educated, caring professionals.
Betty’s insights on longevity emphasize the importance of prayer and faith, serving as daily anchors that provide calm focus.
Shirley Worobow Dorn: Curiosity, Courage and Passport Adventures
At 102, Shirley Worobow Dorn still measures life by what she learns and where curiosity takes her. She grew up in Chicago during the Great Depression and remembers Franklin Roosevelt on the radio. “My father was out of work for two years, which made a deep, deep impression on me,” she says. “I was very conservative with my funds.”
Raised in a strictly kosher Jewish home within a blue-collar, Christian neighborhood, she and her brother were two of only four Jewish children at their school, an early lesson in resilience and grace.
Shirley built a career blending style and hustle. She managed damaged shipments at a mail-order firm, earning a reputation for problem-solving and curiosity. In 1963, she added a part-time role at Marshall Field’s, splitting her time between sales and the stockroom. Two mentors guided her: the advertising manager and the company president who in 1945 predicted, “everything will be done via a telephone.”
Shirley met her Swiss husband in the business world. Married for 55 years, they raised a son and a daughter and shared a love of theater and world travel. When her husband passed away, Shirley continued that passion.
For her 90th birthday, she treated herself to one last solo adventure: A 28-day riverboat cruise that began in Romania, sailed through the Black Sea and finished in Amsterdam. “I said to the guide, ‘I don’t want you to seat me with all the old ladies. I want to sit at tables with couples,’” she says. “Surprisingly, everyone loved my company. I never ate alone. It was remarkable. I was very brave. And when I came back home, I felt like Cinderella.”
For the past seven years, The Carrington has been home for the centenarian. “I’m very grateful for what I have,” she says. “And I’m very satisfied with what I’ve accomplished.”
What Do Centenarians Have in Common?
Being a centenarian is not only about years lived. It’s about how those years feel and why it’s essential to make wellness and joy part of everyday life. Throughout Julianne’s conversations with Shirley and Betty, a few themes stood out:
- Movement with meaning. Daily activities can be as simple as walking with neighbors, attending a fitness class or playing a friendly game that gets the heart rate going.
- Connection and community. The Carrington makes new friendships feel natural. Shared meals, clubs, holiday gatherings and cultural outings keep social circles strong. Centenarians thrive where conversations flow and laughter comes easily.
- Gratitude and lifelong learning. Whether it’s Shirley’s globetrotting curiosity or Betty’s respectful mindset, these residents model gratitude for the present and have an interest in what the next day brings.
- Values that guide choices. Faith, family, service and respect show up again and again. These values support calm decision-making and a hopeful outlook.
Follow the lead of our resident centenarians: choose community, keep moving, value learning, practice respect, and nurture faith and family. Contact us to explore life at The Carrington and make it yours.