Alumna reflects on a century of life

Cordelia Kilbourne Johnson's senior portrait from the 1928 Koiné.

What’s the secret to living a long life? Pursue your hobbies, maintain an interest in people and have a sense of humor, according to Connecticut College alumna Cordelia Kilbourne Johnson ’28, who turned 100 on Jan. 8.

“Take life one day at a time and enjoy it,” she said.

Johnson takes her own advice. She is active in community activities in the retirement community she moved to 15 years ago in Hartford, Conn. An avid reader, former English teacher and library volunteer, Johnson runs the community library. When there was no budget to purchase new books that are of interest to residents, she went to straight to the source to establish one.

“She’ll fight for what she wants,” said Johnson’s daughter, Karin Herdey. “She’s not timid.”

Johnson also upholds a weekly exercise regimen that is a combination of Nautilus machines, a stationary bike and treadmill.

“I did go five days a week,” she said, “but I’m cutting down now to three. I love it.”

Johnson plays bridge and is a devoted fan of the University of Connecticut women’s basketball team. She doesn’t miss a game when they are on TV. She watches with a group of friends — they have punch at halftime and discuss the game.

“We take turns buying popcorn and have a really good time,” she said.

Johnson’s yearbook inscription.

Johnson was born in New Britain, Conn. in 1906 and attended school there. She graduated from CC in 1928 as an English major at a time when it was uncommon for women to go to college, but education was important to her, Herdey said. Johnson lived off campus with other freshmen and sophomores during her first two years. The College was still new and there weren’t enough dorm rooms yet. During her junior and senior years she lived in Winthrop House.

“We used to sit out on the fire escape and watch the subs go up the (Thames) River,” Johnson recalled. She swam in the river with friends and played field hockey early in the morning while the dew was still on the grass. Communal living was “all new to me. That was part of my education.”

Johnson built strong lifelong friendships with her classmates, which she has treasured over the years.

After graduating from CC, she worked for the New Britain Department of Social Work and taught as a substitute in Connecticut public schools. She became a full-time English teacher at Berlin High School, where she taught for two decades. After retiring from teaching, she worked for the local library.

Johnson celebrated her birthday with family and friends on Jan. 7. She had dinner with her three children, six of her eight grandchildren and five great-grandchildren. The meal was followed by a reception at the retirement community with more than 100 of Johnson’s friends. She said it was pleasure to have all of her loved ones together for the occasion. They sang to her and watched as she blew out the candles on her cake — there were only a few.

“If I’d had to blow out a 100 candles I wouldn’t be here now,” she joked, “I’d still be trying to get my breath back.”

Several Connecticut College alumni have or will soon reach their 100th birthday. We invite you to share their names and stories by e-mailing Julie Novak at jnova@conncoll.edu.