Jean (Myers) Ehrlich celebrated her 100th birthday on July 20, the latest milestone in a life that began in Canada and included a career in medicine.
Now a resident of Cascade Park Gardens in Tacoma, she was born Leah Cecelia Myers July 20, 1915 in New Westminster, British Columbia. She graduated from Ballard High School and went on to receive her nursing degree from the University of Washington.
As an RN, she worked at Swedish Hospital and other hospitals and doctor offices in the Seattle-Tacoma area. She began living in Pierce County in 1936.
Jean retired as a nurse and medical technician and married Albert Ehrlich in 1965. They were married until his passing in 1986.
She didn’t have children of her own, but she married into a family of three daughters – Joyce, Joanne and Jeanette.
Jean was an excellent cook, seamstress and gardener. She loved to read, and at one point she belonged to three book-of-the-month clubs. She still is seen often with a book in front of her to read.
As a widow, she organized several widow’s groups in her churches and also worked for hospice programs. She even worked for a Tacoma service provider and did in-home care when she was in her 80s. She always loved to help others.
Jean is a past Matron of Eastern Star, Daughters of the Nile and Social Order of Beauceant.
She has lived a very active and full life and continues to love life and help people. When asked for her secret to a long life, she simply said, “Just living.”