Young at Heart: taking a century in stride
By: Mardena Michelson
When Helen Porter McCollum was a little girl walking to school from her home west of Hartford City, she was struck by a car and run over. Luckily, the car was a Model-T Ford that sat high off the ground. Helen escaped with only a few scratches and a badly dented lunch pail.
(Photo: Don L. Rogers)
Over 90 years later, on January 15, 2021, she celebrated her 100th birthday in her Westminster Village apartment. On COVID lockdown since last March, she celebrated alone, a setback that did not stop her from having “a very nice day.” She accepted the situation, “What else can I do,” and made the best of it.
The rare centenarian comfortable with the latest technology, she spent the day receiving congratulatory phone calls on her iPhone and Zooming with her family.
Scads of birthday cards began arriving a couple of weeks before the big event and continued to arrive afterwards. Both the Mayor of Hartford City and the Governor of Indiana honored her landmark birthday with proclamations acclaiming her long, productive life.
“One in a million” is how her longtime friend and former golf partner Jody Anacker describes her. Although Helen is 43 years older than Jody, they began playing golf together after being introduced by a mutual friend and continued to do so until Helen quit playing at age 95. Jody recalls them playing nine holes in an hour-and-a-half on a regular basis. Until Helen turned 90, she never used a golf cart.
“Ninety pounds soaking wet,” as Jody describes her, Helen lacked the heft to power the long shots but could “putt with the best of them.” More importantly, her game was consistent. “She hit it down the middle and laughed when she missed.” The fact that Helen “never gets worked up” in a game notorious for meltdowns and tantrums particularly impressed Jody—and may help explain Helen’s success both on and off the golf course.
One rainy afternoon in 1985 at the Laurel Lakes (later Ki-Ann) Golf Course, Helen made a hole-in-one. Unfortunately, there was no celebration because everyone was in such a hurry to get home. Never one to toot her own horn, Helen took it all in stride.
Before retiring thirty-five years ago, Helen enjoyed a long career that included 23 years as the executive secretary to the 3M plant manager, raised two sons, and kept the books for her husband Howard’s construction business.
During Howard’s tenure as Blackford County Sheriff from l970 until his death in l977, they lived in the front part of the Old Blackford County Jail located at Monroe and Main— now a beautifully renovated historical landmark famous as a paranormal hotspot where ghosts are rumored to roam.
Helen laughs at the idea that the jail is haunted. In her seven years of residence, she experienced no paranormal occurrences, only an occasional rowdy inmate two sheets to the wind.
Widowed at 57 when Howard passed away during his second term as sheriff, Helen stayed the course, remaining focused and purposeful. “Sometimes you get stuck in a spot and have to do something,” she muses.
She played a lot of golf, remained active in the Grace United Methodist Church, volunteered in the hospital gift shop, and continued to socialize with the Friday Night Gang, a group of women friends who regularly gathered for dinner, games—and lots of laughs.
To honor Howard’s memory and give back to the community, Helen established the Howard and Helen McCollum & Family Scholarship fund through the Blackford County Community Foundation.
After retiring, Helen traveled extensively with her older sister and teamed up with her good friend Mary Lou Marshall for some adventures on foot. They undertook a rigorous hut-to-hut trek in Vermont and later went on an eight-country walking tour in Europe.
Never idle, in her down time Helen has “knitted enough Christmas stockings to supply the whole town,” including ones for all her grand and great-grandchildren featuring their name, date of birth, and an image of Santa Claus. Although her fingers are getting kind of stiff, she is currently working on what she calls a “hodgepodge” afghan made from her large collection of scraps.
Hands down, her greatest accomplishment she says is “raising two kids”—Stephen, a writer, and Larry, a former Marine Corps officer— “who have done well with their families,” gifting her with five grandchildren and six great-grandchildren. The youngest of her great-grandchildren, born two years ago, shares Helen’s middle name, Grace; her great-grandson Porter bears her maiden name.
Helen has “no idea” why she has lived so long, though she posits that “keeping on the go”—both physically and mentally—has had something to do with it.
So too, no doubt, does the fact that she never gives up.
She lived alone in her own home until she was 97, drove until she was almost 98, recovered from a broken hip sustained at age 99 only to go on COVID lockdown shortly after regaining her mobility. She has not left her apartment or had a visitor since last summer when restrictions were briefly lifted. How does she cope? By staying busy, of course. She reads, works crossword and jigsaw puzzles, fools around on her computer and crochets.
Recently, she was pleased to receive her second COVID vaccination and is happy that moderate visitation is allowed again at Westminster Village.
To honor Helen’s 100th birthday, her granddaughter Mary created a video featuring 100 of her family’s favorite pictures of Helen. As Michael Bublé croons “Young at Heart,” the pictures flash by: Helen as a bride standing next to her new husband, Helen posing with her sons and their families, cradling grandchildren and great-grandchildren, wielding a pool cue, knitting in front of the fire, swinging a plastic golf club in someone’s dining room. Often smiling, sometimes laughing, she plays her game like a pro, consistent and unflappable.
100 years old and still young at heart, Helen is an inspiration, a model of how to live life with fortitude and grace.
Helen i remember our many years of working together at 3M. You have always been an great person and a good Godly lady. Happy belated birthday.
Hi Helen – Worked with Helen at 3M, she was always very professional and always a lady. Congratulations Helen on your 100th birthday. Enjoyed reading this story. You look great!!
Helen…..Belated Happy Birthday! I was thinking of you a few days ago so I’m glad to catch up on you and what you’re doing. I have an aunt in southern Indiana who just turned 102 and you remind me of her…….always taking things in stride and keeping your mind busy. Stay well and keep enjoying life!
What a great article about one marvelous, extraordinary lady!! She never ceases to inspire!!
Wow, what a terrific way to live life! She indeed is an inspiration! Quite the legacy!
Happy Birthday to your outstanding accomplishment’s Helen…. hopefully a future soon with visitors..May God continue to Bless you ea day….
Happy Birthday Helen! My parents grew up in Hartford City and born the same year 1920. Maybe you might of known them Samuel (Ab) & Clara Warner. I love reading about you! Best Wishes!
Sincerely Lois Wright
Loved this story, Helen. Steve forgot your failthfull attendance at Coffee Group where I got to know you. Lucky me!
Helen, I loved reading this about your life! I really enjoyed playing cards with you and the other ladies in your Friday night group. I was the last to join it, and now there are only 2 of us left to play. It’s still fun, and I’m so glad I can see you again. Whenever Paula comes back to visit we’ll both come down to play Hand and Foot with you. See you soon!
.Dear Aunt Helen, You have always been an inspiration to me. Sharing recipes, helping me out when I would get stuck on my knitting. REMEMBER? Mom taught me to crochet when I was young, so it was easier. You remind me a lot of my mother, who was your oldest sister.
I have always admired, loved and respected you and felt very proud of you.
God Bless and keep you always,
With Love, Your Niece, Wilma Jean
Dearest Aunt Helen:
What a beautiful and warm profile in your honor! You are even more special than I knew and I have always known what a treasure we had in you. I am your niece from Uncle Howard’s side of the family and I can tell you that you have always been a blessing to us too. You have graced our many family times and reunions for so many wonderful years! Your blueberry pies are over the moon good! Thank you, Aunt Helen, for your 100 years of loving and sharing your life with so many of us! God bless always! With all my love, Karen
Helen, I first met you when Bruce went on the bench in 1975. You may not remember, but you told me to ignore criticism that may come his way because he was doing his job. I don’t think I ever forgot that, nor have I forgotten the woman who imparted that wisdom. You always had a smile for everyone and loved your community. Congratulations on your Birthday and many more!
Helen, You don’t remember me, but I was your paperboy way back in 1963 – 1966. Your family was the nicest family on my paper route. Happy Birthday, Helen!
Sincerely,
John O’Rourke
Helen , you are a true inspiration for everyone. I miss seeing your smiling face at Grace. You continue to amaze me on your daily activities at your age. I hear thru Jody and Rob how you are doing. Keep it up..
Happy Birthday Helen. Congratulations. You were a great friend to my Mother at WMV. We miss those Sunday lunches and seeing you there. Many more birthdays
What a beautiful article! Enjoyed reading about all of your activities and adventures! I will always remember the day that I got married, many years ago, was also Howard’s birthday, so we shared a piece of cake together, placing a candle in it in honor of him! I have many great childhood memories of both of you. Wishing you a very Happy birthday and many more! ❤️
Happy 100th Birthday.
I have many roots from Blackford Co.
Super lady. Helen was so professional at work but became a great friend when away from work. It is hard to believe how many years it has been since Helen and Dot Jackson retired from 3M as the executive secretaries. We obviously didn’t drive you crazy. Thanks for all of the memories both at work and away from work.
Helen, happy belated birthday! There aren’t many family members left so I’m happy to see you still keeping active. God bless you!
Dear Helen, God has blessed you with a wonderful life & you have made great times with it. I hope you had a great B’DAY. 100 years is quite a blessing! Please tell Steve I think of him often when I think of my brother, Dick Goodspeed. Take care & wishing you more happy b’days. Barb & Terry Shields
What an inspiration. Now I know where Stephen gets his energy, love of golf and family, and his intelligence.