01/28/2026
100 Years of Joyous Living by Chris M. Crosby, The Renaissance Senior Living
Lessons in contentment from Ms. Betty Evans
Some people don’t just live a long life—they live a full one. Ms. Betty Evans is one of those rare souls.
At 100 years young, Ms. Betty has been a cherished resident of The Renaissance Senior Living since 2020. And while the number attached to her age is impressive, it’s not what defines her. What defines Ms. Betty is her unmistakable joy, her gentle humor, and a contentment that feels both earned and freely given.
Spend even a few minutes with her and you’ll notice something different. She laughs easily. She listens fully. She carries herself with a quiet confidence that says, “I’ve seen a lot—and I’m still grateful.” In a world that often chases happiness as if it’s something to be achieved or accumulated, Ms. Betty embodies a deeper truth: joy is cultivated over time.
When asked how she would describe her life, she doesn’t lead with accomplishments or hardships. Instead, she speaks about people. Relationships. Moments that mattered. And the simple, steady decisions that shaped her days.
So we asked Ms. Betty a question many of us wonder about but rarely stop to explore:
What does it take to live a lifelong journey of joy and contentment?
Her answers were refreshingly simple—and profoundly wise.
1. Don’t carry what was never meant to stay
Ms. Betty believes one of the greatest thieves of joy is unresolved bitterness. Life brings loss, disappointment, and unfairness—but holding onto those things long-term only weighs the heart down.
“You have to learn to let things go,” she says with a knowing smile. “Not everything deserves a permanent place in your spirit.”
Joy, she reminds us, isn’t about avoiding pain—it’s about not allowing pain to define the rest of your life.
2. Stay curious and interested in people
At 100, Ms. Betty is still deeply interested in others. She asks questions. She remembers names. She genuinely enjoys conversation.
“People are always worth listening to,” she says. “Everyone has a story.”
Her joy hasn’t faded because she never stopped being engaged with the world around her. Curiosity, it turns out, keeps the heart young.
3. Find happiness in ordinary moments
Ms. Betty doesn’t wait for big events to feel grateful. A warm cup of coffee. A friendly face. A good laugh. These are the moments she treasures.
“If you’re always waiting for something bigger,” she says, “you’ll miss what’s right in front of you.”
Her contentment comes from noticing the beauty woven into everyday life—and choosing to appreciate it.
4. Laugh whenever you can
Perhaps the most obvious—and delightful—key to Ms. Betty’s joy is her laughter. It’s contagious. Unforced. Genuine.
“You might as well laugh,” she says. “Crying doesn’t change things—but laughter sure helps you get through them.”
Her laughter isn’t denial; it’s resilience. A decision to keep joy alive no matter the circumstances.
As our conversation drew to a close, we asked Ms. Betty one final question—one that invites reflection at any age:
“Ms. Betty, if you could do any one thing over, at any period of your life, what would you do or change?”
She paused. Thought carefully. Then answered with clarity and peace.
“I would worry less,” she said. “I spent time worrying about things that never happened—and time is too precious for that.”
It’s a simple answer, but a powerful one. From someone who has lived a century, it feels like a gift—an invitation to live lighter, love deeper, and trust more fully.
Ms. Betty Evans reminds us that joy is not reserved for a lucky few. It’s built through perspective, presence, and the courage to release what no longer serves us. At The Renaissance, we are honored to walk alongside her and learn from her wisdom every day.
After all, 100 years of joyous living isn’t just a milestone—it’s a legacy.
