VIOLA TOLAND

Fido isn’t your typical pet, but he brings much joy into the life of 101-year-old Viola Toland.

She laughs and smiles as her black-andwhite furry friend, which resembles a shih tzu, rolls across the floor, giggling at anything and everything.

Fido is an electronic toy dog, but her robo-pup provides plenty of entertainment.

“Even I have to laugh at that darn thing,” says Viola, who moved into Lexington Park’s assisted-living facility four years ago.

Without question, laughing and looking at life through an optimistic lens are in- strumental reasons Viola’s ticker continues ticking.

“I’ve never really been sick,” she says, “and the only time I’ve been in the hospital is when I had children. I feel being optimistic and laughing has helped me live a long life.”

Good genes play a role, too. Her great aunt lived to be 105, while her mother passed away at age 95.

Even as birthdays have accumulated, Viola has always remained independent. She worked as a part-time receptionist at a funeral home in Michigan before retiring

Viola was born in Benton Harbor, Michigan, on Oct. 27, 1913. She spent 31 years as a bookkeeper for a home improvement company owned by her husband, Robert. Even after his death in 1979, Viola still viewed life as an adventure to be embraced. She joined a church travel group and visited countries such as New Zealand, Australia, Scandinavia and Germany. She also took a memorable trip aboard the famous Mississippi Queen steamboat. Numerous photo albums stacked on her living room floor help evoke fond memories of her travels.

“I love looking through the albums and remembering all the great times I had,” she says. “I did not have a favorite country because they each were special in their own way.”

“I remember taking Mom to the mall when she was in her 70s and not being able to keep up with her,” Gregg says. “She was always a fast walker.”

“I never sweat the small stuff,” she says. “I just keep on living, loving and laughing.”

For her, those are the best medications to combat old age.