THE SAUGUS ADVOCATE – FriDAy, JUnE 14, 2024 Page 3 ~ The Advocate Asks ~ Saugus resident Ruth Robertson still loves reading, watching “Jeopardy,” doing crossword puzzles, talking to neighbors and being sociable at age 100 Editor’s Note: For this week’s column, we sat down with Ruth Robertson, who became Saugus’ latest Centenarian last Friday (June 7). We interviewed her that day at her apartment at Heritage Heights, where the day before the Saugus Housing Authority and residents organized a 100th birthday party for her. She was born Ruth Smith in Lynn on June 7, 1924. She lived her entire childhood in Saugus and was a 1941 graduate of Saugus High School. Ruth was an Honor Roll student who was ranked ninth academically in her class and had excellent grades – good enough to attend college. But she wanted to get married instead, to another Saugonian, Kenneth W. Robertson, who had been drafted and was expected to go overseas in World War II. They got married in 1942 when Ruth was 18. Fortunately for the couple, the war ended before Kenneth was due to be airlifted in China. After completing his tour of duty at various places in the United States, Kenneth returned with his wife to Saugus, where they raised their family – two sons and a daughter, all of them who graduated from Saugus High School. Kenneth and Ruth toured the United States and took many trips to Great Britain. In 1985, they retired to Dunedin, Fla., on the state’s west coast. “The climate, the available activities and the friendly people were just what we wanted for our retirement,” Ruth wrote in a message to classmates in a program for their 50th reunion in 1991. “Unfortunately, it didn’t last long enough, for in December, 1989 Kenny died suddenly of cancer. I will still make my home in Dunedin, where I keep active year round.” After living a decade in Florida, Ruth decided to return to her roots. Her son, Kenneth W. Robertson, Jr., died of a massive heart attack in 2005. Ruth’s two other children – John Robertson and Paula (Robertson) Cummings – both living with their families in Beverly, continue to look after her. Paula does the grocery shopping for her mother. John is active in his mom’s life, as are the grandchildren and great-grandchildren. Ruth has a sister, Jean King, who lives in a Lynn nursing home. She will turn 99 in the fall. A few hours after our interview, about two dozen members of Ruth’s family gathered at the Kowloon Restaurant for a special birthday meal. When the family sang “Happy Birthday,” everybody within earshot – restaurant staff and customers – stopped what they were doing to sing “Happy Birthday” to Ruth. Highlights of this week’s interview follow. Q: I heard that the residents of the Saugus Housing Authority had a surprise party for you yesterday (June 6). A: They don’t surprise you when you’re as old as I am. See, they had this flyer done up that residents received which announced the party in the Community Room. I got a cake and lots of cards and a beautiful bouquet of flowers. I love flowers and cards. We had a delicious cake from Market Basket to go with little Hoodsies and flat wooden spoons to eat the ice cream. We had the room for about an hour. And it was very nice. A lot of people came up to me to wish me “Happy Birthday.” Everybody was so nice to me. Q: Thank you for taking some time on your birthday House in Lynn. Q: What was it like, growing up in Saugus when you were a kid? A: You walked to school and talked to friends. I had to walk from East Saugus to Saugus Center. Saugus High was located at Winter and Central Streets. It was a nice, easy time when we were kids. I liked all of my teachers. I loved school. Q: Do you have any special childhood memories? ASKS | SEE PAGE 4 THE GUEST OF HONOR: On June 6, the day before she turned 100, Ruth Robertson had a birthday party – organized by the Saugus Housing Authority and its residents. (Courtesy photo of Joanie Allbee) to do this interview. We try to interview Saugus residents before or after they celebrate their 100th birthday. Let’s start out from the beginning. Where were you born? A: I was born at the Union Hospital in Lynn. I came right home to live in Saugus and I stayed here until I got married. Q: Tell me a little bit about your parents, please. A: Walter Smith and Estelle Gray Smith. My dad was 50 when he got married to my mother, who was 25. They got acquainted in GE. Q: Where did you live in Saugus? A: I lived in East Saugus on Willis Street. It was handy to go to church. I was baptized in the Methodist Church of East Saugus. It was handy for school. I went to the Mansfield School. Q: How many children in your family? A: It was my sister and I. I was born first. My sister is Jean King and she’ll be 99 in September. 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