Eula Curtis celebrates 90 years

"Don't you dare give me a party," Eula Curtis told her three daughters, "not until I'm 100."

"We may not be here by then, Mom!" her daughters, Suzie Aylor, Patty Swarens and Nancy Curtis responded. They chose to not mind their mother for possibly the very first time.

On Friday night, over 100 friends greeted Eula at a 90th birthday surprise party at Bronco Billy's Ranch Grill and Saloon. Among the crowd were retired foresters, loggers, former fire volunteers and SMART readers. There were also camping and rafting buddies, chamber office volunteers, rodeo friends, The "Bored" of Directors, (including Sue Jones, who traveled 480 miles by train) and her swim group.

Everyone had a common desire: They all want to be like Eula when they grow up.

Curtis and her husband, Russ, raised their daughters across seven states, moving 61 times.

Daughter Patty Swarens said, "She made every place home, always planting flowers as soon as we got there."

Curtis also planted herself firmly in Sisters when Russ retired, and they moved to their permanent home in 1973. She made friends quickly. All three daughters stayed in the area.

"She's a great mom and a best friend," they explained.

Curtis worked for the city, fire department and volunteered at the Sisters Area Chamber of Commerce. She was among the first to sign up to be a SMART reader in 1992, and continues to volunteer in that program.

"She is almost a second grandmother to her SMART kids," one father said. "How could you do better?"

Awards came from Deschutes County and AARP for her volunteer work, and she is almost indispensable at Sisters Rodeo. Acknowledged for her wit and determination, she has impressed her friends with her boundless energy.

Winnie Garrison, a 20-year swimming partner, said Curtis still claims to be training to swim the English Channel.

"She'll have to get her feet off the bottom of the pool before that," said another swimmer.

Through the evening, family and friends stated that they believe Curtis' absolute love of life may account for her longevity and great health. Dave Rodgers summed it up simply: "She is forever young."