World Photo by Alex Powers Bandon’s Vera DeVoss celebrates her birthday Friday in the Plank House Restaurant at The Mill Casino-Hotel in North Bend. The Heritage Place Assisted Living resident turned 101 Tuesday and was celebrating with her friends.

NORTH BEND — Vera DeVoss didn’t plan on reaching 100 years of age.

“I never set out to be even 90,” she said.

So when the Bandon woman turned 101 on Tuesday, it gave Bandon’s Heritage Place Assisted Living facility residents reason to celebrate.

“It bowled me over,” laughed DeVoss.

DeVoss and about 19 other Heritage Place residents gathered Friday at the Mill Casino-Hotel’s Plank House Restaurant for a luncheon. The surprisingly spry centenarian ordered a hamburger for lunch and then commented briefly on her long life.

“I feel fine,” she said.

Born in Miggs, Ark., in 1907, DeVoss lived most of her life in California. At 19 years old, she entered college and then worked most of her life as a registered nurse before moving to Bandon nearly three decades ago.

DeVoss stated that it wasn’t diet, drugs or genetics that brought her as far as she’s come, but staying active.

Heritage Place Activities Director Sue Fleck agreed.

“She goes to all the activities, she exercises each morning. I think that’s the key to longevity, she’s sharp,” Fleck said.

DeVoss’ preferred activity is knitting — a skill that she picked up as a child more than 90 years ago in California during the supply shortage of World War I. These days, she knits lace.

“And I’ve made a lot of it,” DeVoss said.

She’s lived through 18 presidential terms, the admission of four U.S. states, two world wars and at least one economic depression. And Friday, DeVoss sat near the head of the table. She was adorned with a tiara and wand, both reading “101.”

“It’s not every day somebody turns 101 years old,” said 90-year-old resident Fern Woolley.

“She’s a wonderful person — sharp as a tack and always ready for a laugh.”