HOMEWOOD, IL — The Village of Homewood is celebrating local resident Mary Cantway as she turns 110 years old on Sept. 30. Cantway joins other Illinois supercentenarians and becomes Homewood’s first supercentenarian on her birthday. Mayor Richard Hofeld will hand-deliver a birthday cake to Cantway on Sept. 30 at 4 p.m.
“Mary is incredibly sharp! She is an absolute pleasure to talk to and Homewood is lucky to have her as our oldest resident,” said Mayor Richard Hofeld. “She and I have had many conversations over the years and each time we visit I leave with a smile on my face!”
Cantway moved to Homewood in 1957 and has resided in the same home for 67 years. Cantway, and her husband Elmo, raised two children Donald and Linda. Cantway has six grandchildren and several great-grandchildren. Up until 2019, Cantway was a regular member at the H-F Racquet Club, where she swam frequently.
When asked what the secret was to a long, fulfilled life Cantway giggled and said, “I went to exercise every day. I swam at the racquet club until I couldn’t anymore. I swam until I was around 105 years old. But, my doctor still makes me exercise with leg lifts.”
Cantway drinks a Gatorade Zero every day, specifically the orange flavor and enjoys ribs from Portillo’s.
