Centenarians
Celebrating a century – or more – of birthdays!
Governor Cox celebrates Utah's centenarians
Each year, at the centenarian celebration, our governor honors some of Utah’s finest — those 100 years of age and older. The celebration includes lunch, music, an opportunity to shake hands with our state’s leader, and time for us younger Utahns to gain a bit of wisdom. Learn more about Governor Coxopens in a new tab
We'd love to invite you and loved ones to our next celebration!
Please contact us at 801-538-3910 or [email protected]opens in a new tab
Governor’s Century Club of Utah
"As governor of the great state of Utah, it is my honor to recognize Utah’s most exclusive club, the Governor’s Century Club of Utah, and its members: Utahns who have reached their 100th birthday and older "
– Governor Cox
Centenarians share their wisdom
Outstanding memories
Impressive changes
Secret to longevity
Best life advice
Experience the yearbook
Featured centenarian
Frances Mitchell
108 years youngSecret to longevity
Eat healthy fresh foods, exercise both your body and mind every day, wake up with a positive attitude. Don’t stress over the small things in life.
Descendants
3 daughters, 5 grandchildren, 7 great grandchildren, 8 great-great grandchildren
Memories
Frances remembers her childhood as one filled with love and hard work. Even though they didn’t have a lot of luxuries, they never went without food. Even when living in the city, they had a cow for milk, chickens and of course a garden. With 9 children, her mother was always baking bread, making cheese, canning vegetables, and making jelly from wild berries.
When they moved to the ranch, there were lots of chores for the children to do, including digging potatoes. They only had one horse they could ride, so usually they rode double or walked everywhere. The first car they owned, their father drove in a ditch.
At 16, Frances married LJ and soon after moved to Ocean City. It was depression times, but they were able to live off the land by growing vegetables and digging for clams. What they didn’t raise themselves, they would barter with the neighbors to get. They had 3 children, Bertha, Theresa, and Bridget. She and LJ went into owning their own businesses until they retired. For several years, they traveled every summer in a motor home including all the way to Canada and Alaska.