Mary Hunter of Bangor doesn’t let age prevent her from learning new things or meeting new people

“Ijust like to learn. The door is open, and I take advantage whenever I can,” said 99-year-old Mary Hunter, who resides at the Country Villa retirement home in Bangor. This senior citizen is as active as they come, knitting or making crafts whenever she can, but her true passion is being around people.

hen I was growing up, we had separate schools, separate churches and cemeteries. I lived through segregation. I just lived through it. I could work for you, but I couldn’t sit at a table with you or use your bathroom,” she explained. “Now all those things have changed, and I just enjoy being around people because they help me. I am learning more from them

Hunter has always been altruistic, giving back to the community by donating to sports teams and schools as well as volunteering at nursing homes and with hospice care.

“I volunteered at hospice until COVID,” said Hunter. “I am not married to TV like some people. I’m married to helping myself and helping others.”

Hunter is also a proud member of Toastmasters, an international educational non-profit that teaches public speaking and leadership skills. Her time spent with the organization allowed her to perform a eulogy on short notice; an act she wrote about for an issue of Toastmasters Magazine.

“Toastmasters and I are almost the same age,” joked Hunter. “I was born in 1923 and the organization started in 1924.” husband,”

Hunter doesn’t let her age stop her from trying new things and continuing to learn and grow. In her mid-90s, she started taking piano lessons because she wanted to try something new.

“I told my teacher I wanted to learn to sing a song as I played it. She said at my age that would be hard to do, but how do I know if I don’t try,” said Hunter.