Redlands family tries to hold connection as matriarch with dementia turns 100 [Redlands Daily Facts, Calif.]

June 08--REDLANDS -- Resident Catherine E. Fitzsimmons, who turned 100 years old May 28, lived through the Great Depression and remembers her grandfather taking her for a ride in a horse and buggy.

Born in South Dakota in 1912 to Elizabeth and James Peacock, Catherine has outlived six siblings.

Her mother came to the United States from Germany at age 7.

Her father and grandfather were both in the insurance business.

"Growing up, her grandfather William Peacock was a person that was very much in her life. As I recall, he had one of the first automobiles," said Karen Wardell, Fitzsimmons' daughter.

Her grandfather homesteaded in South Dakota and was in the first House of Representatives in that state.

Her family was extremely important to her. She loved her brothers and sisters.

Growing up she lived on a farm and had a bay horse named Star.

"She lived in a beautiful three-story house in Armour, South Dakota, and was one of the first residents to have lights," Wardell said. "The house had green velvet drapes and a big grand piano, and when the Depression came they lost everything. At that time she was about 17 years old and had wanted to become a home economics teacher, because she was a fabulous seamstress."

Wardell said her mother made all of her prom dresses, formals and ballet outfits.

"She could have been a fabulous engineer. She had that kind of a mind that could put things together. She didn't have enough money to pursue this, so she went to Minneapolis to beauty school and became a beautician," Wardell said. "The Depression affected her as it did many people, and I'm not sure she really ever got over the loss."

In 1937, Catherine married Ronald Fitzsimmons, also from South Dakota.

They moved to Alma, Colo.

Ronald first worked in the silver mines, then worked in the restaurant business. They were married for 50 years.

Eventually the Fitzsimmonses moved to Denver, where Catherine lived until age 99, at which time she moved to Redlands, where she now resides at European Health Care.

"I think she feels comfortable there, although she has declined quite a bit. Her dementia has gotten a lot worse," Wardell said.

Wardell said that her mother had a delightful sense of humor and was a very strong woman.

"She was always doing something for someone. She didn't have to go into assisted living until she was 97 and had lived by herself in her own home. She would walk to the store, which was three blocks away."

Fitzsimmons' family also includes son-in-law Thomas Wardell, two granddaughters, Kristin Wardell Nash and Pamela Wardell Griffiths and six great-grandchildren. Both Nash and Griffiths attended Redlands schools and graduated from Redlands High School.

Fitzsimmons' brother James was a decorated hero of World War II.

Fitzsimmons celebrated her 100th birthday with her daughter, granddaughter Pam and some friends.

They celebrated with cake and ice cream and with a letter written to her by her daughter and with some shared thoughts by Pam.

"I bought her an angel to put in her room. She seemed present and aware, and we were happy to be with her," said Wardell.

"She used to say every day is Christmas," said Wardell. "She was really capable of enjoying the simple things in life and has passed that on to us. I love my mom."

Reach Suze via email, call her at 909-793-3221, ext. 319; or find her on Twitter at @RedlandsNow.

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