Centenarian keeps friends, family laughing

More than a century ago, on Nov. 29, 1906, in Rosebud, Mont., Hazel Walch was born. Walch of Troy, celebrated her 105th birthday this year with two cakes, family and friends.

“I told them I wanted a keg of beer for my birthday party,” Walch giggled. Later admitting she doesn’t drink … although she loves hot toddies.

Walch does not see this as the reason for her longevity, but she does believe it helps to just live life.

“I never think about my age, ever,” Walch said. “I think that’s what makes people feel old, thinking about how old they are all the time.”

As the fifth child born to a family of 12 children, Walch has outlived her entire immediate family. She lost her last sibling a year ago, her brother was 96 when he died.

Walch began her teaching career in Paradise, Mont., teaching in a schoolhouse 15 miles from her home. She lived in the schoolhouse during the week and walked home for the weekends.

Walch moved to Troy in 1959.

People would ask Walch why she moved to Troy.

“I wanted to see what hell was like!” Walch said as she laughed.

Walch maintains a wonderful sense of humor and her memory is excellent. She even recalls memories more than 101-years ago.

“My dad owned a saloon, and every day I would bring him the paper,” Walch said. “I was four years old, and I could not say the word gazette, so I said ‘dazette.’ All the old men would laugh.”

Walch’s parents passed away at the age of 92.

Walch spent the rest of her career in Troy teaching for many years seventh and eighth grade, later she became the school librarian much to her delight.

“I just loved working in the library,” Walch said. “Love those books.”

Walch still recognizes her students from the ’60s, and maintains a relationship with many of them. 

Walch said she feels pretty good. She has outlived her two husbands, both men died of cancer. She has suffered a few broken bones — shoulder, ankle and hip — from falls. She is confined most of the time to her motorized wheelchair.

“I miss walking,” Walch said. “I just loved walking, people would offer me a ride and I would tell them no.”

Walch’s biggest health scare was at the age of 92 when she was diagnosed with uterine cancer. Because her health was good, despite the cancer, doctors decided to perform a hysterectomy to remove the cancer from Walch’s body.

“I wasn’t worried about having kids anymore!” Walch said laughing. Walch has one son, Owen, 75, who lives with her in Troy.

Walch spends her days napping, visiting with friends, washing dishes, cooking and occasionally scrubbing the stove.

“I like to use my walker sometimes to exercise my legs,” Walch said.

During the summer months Walch likes to “ride.”

“I take my chair (motorized) over to the high school to ride,” Walch said. “It’s nice over there and smooth.”

“You will see Hazel in the summer riding up and down the street,” friend, and former student of Walch’s, Denise Speck said. “I try to take pictures of her sometimes, but she’s so fast.”

“Sharp as a tack,” is the phrase friends and family use to described Walch. She makes 105 look really good.

“She’ll (Walch) probably outlive us all.” Speck said.