Photograph by George Sakkestad

Gwen Hanks, who is celebrating her 100th birthday, enjoys the lemon tree in the yard of her Saratoga home.

Joy, abundance mark a century of life

Gwen Hanks will be honored at her church

By Shari Kaplan

For those unfamiliar with the phrase joie de vivre, they need only meet longtime Saratogan Gwen Hanks to see it in action. For those unfamiliar with Hanks, on the other hand, no one phrase is enough to describe her life, which on March 25 will have spanned 100 years. Two days after her actual birthday, she will celebrate again, this time at a party in her honor from 1 to 3 p.m. at the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints in Saratoga. Old and new friends are invited to join the festivities at what is billed as "Gwen's Grand Gala Gathering."

Hanks was born Marie Gwendolyn Lloyd in 1899 in Logan, Utah. After earning a business degree and a teaching credential, she taught kindergarten for a time in Utah. After marrying E.K. Hanks--her husband for more than 60 years--the couple moved to California and lived in various cities throughout the northern and southern portions of the state. The Hankses settled in Saratoga some 35 years ago. After leaving Utah, Hanks devoted most of her time to raising daughter Nancy and sons Richard and Wayne, the latter now deceased. She now has 12 grandchildren and four great-grandchildren.

Every morning, Hanks rises early in her Saratoga home to do her exercises, followed by a walk around the neighborhood, then breakfast. She says she used to practice yoga for years, but it's become a little too difficult now.

"She's always eaten wisely. She takes vitamins, minerals and herbal supplements. The most important thing is her attitude; she's always been a happy person," says daughter Nancy Hoppe of her mother's good health.

"People who know her admire Gwen's tenacity, her love of life, her sense of humor and her ability to comfort and help and heal others with her clear perspective and loving ways," adds friend Teresa Richardson.

Hanks is an active member of the Latter-Day Saints church in Saratoga and enjoys helping her fellow congregants, be it with church events or simply lending an ear. She also belongs to the Daughters of the Utah Pioneers and Samata, an international group whose members study arts, humanities and current events.

She also finds time to tend to her garden, which includes flowers and fruit trees, and enjoys the fine art of flower arranging, in which she has taken several classes. "I've done a lot of community work too; I've canvassed the neighborhood for any good cause that came along," Hanks says.

She is also generous in sharing her secret to living an entire century.

"I believe in being happy if one can, as much as possible. I believe in laughing often and loving much. I had a happy childhood and wonderful parents. I married an extraordinary man and have a good family," she says.

"I try to be content and aware of what's going on in my neighborhood, in the world, and life in general. I love life; it's a gift from my Father in heaven."

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