Kathleen Alexander

Editor’s note: The Steamboat Pilot & Today asked readers to tell us about their favorite seniors over the age of 75 and then we asked these Super Seniors to share their secrets to living a long and healthy life. 

Kathleen Alexander

Age: 75

Super powers: Alexander landed in Steamboat Springs 23 years ago. She spends a lot of her time loving on her three grandchildren, who live in Steamboat, tending her garden and keeping up with a busy social calendar. Alexander’s life has been filled with ups and downs, including two battles with breast cancer, but she has persevered due to her tenacity, humor, insight and strength. She is also a world traveler, having trekked in Nepal, Bhutan, Peru and Tanzania; paddled in the South Pacific, Burma and Mexico; and biked all over Europe — capturing each adventure with her camera, which she takes everywhere.

What is your secret to living a long and healthy life?

“I have no secrets to living a long, mostly healthy life. I am fairly sure the secret is pure luck. I won the birth lottery. I was born into a family that gave me the gift of education, strong ethical values and courage to face challenge and diversity. A rebellious nature and athletic ability gave me the tenacity and determination to pursue activities only boys were allowed to do. As luck would have it, I attained a BA, not an MRS, and went to India in the Peace Corps. This single, life-changing experience led me to new perspectives and a gratefulness for the gifts with which I was endowed. I believe that life is about learning. Learning that knowledge is powerful. Learning how to put one step in front of the other and carry on. Learning to accept each day as it comes, as one has no control over what happens next. So, while I have no secrets to share, I know that good health and a lot of laughter have made my senior years incredibly enjoyable.”