Jane Wilkens of Solana Beach reflects on the Great Depression and raising four boys at her 100th birthday party.
DEL MAR, Calif. — Jane Wilkens, a Solana Beach resident, celebrated her 100th birthday surrounded by family and friends, marking a century of resilience, hard work, and dedication to her loved ones.
Born during the Great Depression, Wilkens recalls her mother’s compassion during those difficult times.
“She felt sorry, I guess, they were starving, they didn’t have food,” said Wilkens, describing how her mother would invite strangers into their home to bathe and eat.
Growing up, Wilkens experienced firsthand the challenges of daily life without modern conveniences, including the task of washing clothes by hand.
“It was [a] tedious job, it took all day practically,” she said.
Jane married Bob Wilkens and raised four boys, a feat she remembers with humor.
“They got into a lot of mischief,” she laughed. Her son Bill added, “They never knew about it. We got away with most of it.”
The family settled in Solana Beach, where they helped operate Wilkens Garden Supply. Bill recalled the difficulty of working while others enjoyed leisure time: “The only bad part is everybody would walk to the beach while we were working, everybody. It was torture.”
Wilkens credits her longevity to daily walks with her dog. “I live on a hill,” she chuckled, highlighting the added challenge. This physical activity has likely contributed to her ability to overcome health issues, including a collapsed lung and cancer.
“When you talk about a matriarch of the family, we have been so blessed,” said her granddaughter Jenni, emphasizing Wilkens’ importance to her loved ones.
Jenni shared that even at 100, Wilkens insists on hosting family gatherings. “We will arrive, and she’ll be cooking the turkey or cooking the ham, and it’s like we have to argue in order to bring a side dish because she wants to do it all herself,” Jenni explained.
Wilkens’ son Bill expressed his gratitude: “I won the lottery when I was born.” He added, “That’s why I’m still single, I can’t find anyone like here.”
As Wilkens celebrates this milestone birthday, she embodies the spirit of resilience and family dedication that has characterized her long and eventful life. Jane also loves square dancing, writing to pen pals all over the world and knitting Beanie Babies for sick children in hospitals.
