“Oh, what a week,” said Jean Rutherford, “party after party.”
All the celebrating was for the Doylestown Borough woman’s 100th birthday, which she marked on Dec. 5.
From a special party with family, friends and neighbors at her home in the Villages of Doylestown, to a celebration at Salem United Church of Christ, to festivities with her longtime friends at the Village Improvement Association, the milestone birthday was “so much fun,” said the centenarian. “It was great to see so many friends and family.”
Jean, who opened Rutherford’s Camera Shop at 23 W. State Street with her late husband, Milt Rutherford, in 1946, said staying active is the key to a long and healthy life, “and good genes,” she added.
“I do yoga every day in the morning to get going and eat good, healthy food. It’s important to keep your mind and body active,” said the mother of four, grandmother of six and great-grandmother to four, with a fifth due in January.
Her son, Bruce Rutherford, a beloved fixture at the camera shop and deeply involved community member died in 2020. Son, Lee Rutherford now operates the popular store.
“My mom is a very caring person. She always thinks of other people,” said Lee. “She’s very even-tempered.”
Jean’s daughter Susan, who lives in Oregon, came in for her mother’s big celebration. “I hope I’m in as good of shape as she is, if I reach her age,” she said. “I’m pretty proud she’s made it this far.”
Susan credits her mom’s staying active, including many contributions of her handmade quilts to the VIA, and the Doylestown Historical Society and her overall community mindedness for her long life.
Milt Kenin has been a friend of Jean’s since they met at Salem United Church of Christ. “She radiates kindness,” he said from his home in Florida. “She’s such a warm individual. She’d do anything for you.”
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