Spring Break
Oldest Beaver fan celebrates landmark birthday
Rosie Oatman celebrated her birthday in style on Saturday with friends, family and an appearance by the OSU band
Brian Krichevksy
Issue date: 1/20/09 Section: News
Brenda Miller, who has known Oatman since 1973 said she's been almost like a family member to her.
"She always called herself a people person. She was just a very warm, caring and really genuine person," Miller said.
Oatman, an avid traveler and adventurer, spent a lot of time moving around the country as well as overseas. "Rosie was a great letter writer," Miller said. "She wrote to more people than anyone I have ever known."
The OSU band made a special appearance and played a number of songs. Oatman was wheeled up front while they played and had her picture taken with the band.
"I thought the band was great. They have so much enthusiasm," said Louis George of Eugene. Even though they were scheduled to play at Saturday night's men's basketball game, the band's appearance made the afternoon special for many guests. "It added a lot to the party," Miller said "It was perfect - the perfect touch."
What was it about Rosie Oatman that attracted so many people in her life? According to Miller, she was "well-liked and very social. She was always good company and a lot of fun."
Other guests agreed. "She is a very nice lady - just very warm," said Mike Kelly of Eugene.
Oatman was always entertaining friends, and guests spoke of her charm, wit and notoriously playful nature.
"She was a flirt," Gee said. "She loved to entertain. The parties at her beach house were a lot of fun; music and dancing and a lot of laughter. She was always having a good time."
Many stories were told about Oatman. Gee told a crowd that her aunt drove until she was 95 and even gave herself her own birthday party at age 90.
As retold by Gee, Rosie stood up in front of 100 or so guests and with the guest's names written on an index card, talked about how she knew each of the them, where she knew them from and what they meant to her. Things of this nature were "classic Rosie."
As to the secret of her longevity, it is about her attitude, friends said.
"Positive," Gee said. "She is always positive. That's why she's lived so long."
Brian Krichevsky, staff writer
news@dailybarometer.com, 737-2231
"She always called herself a people person. She was just a very warm, caring and really genuine person," Miller said.
Oatman, an avid traveler and adventurer, spent a lot of time moving around the country as well as overseas. "Rosie was a great letter writer," Miller said. "She wrote to more people than anyone I have ever known."
The OSU band made a special appearance and played a number of songs. Oatman was wheeled up front while they played and had her picture taken with the band.
"I thought the band was great. They have so much enthusiasm," said Louis George of Eugene. Even though they were scheduled to play at Saturday night's men's basketball game, the band's appearance made the afternoon special for many guests. "It added a lot to the party," Miller said "It was perfect - the perfect touch."
What was it about Rosie Oatman that attracted so many people in her life? According to Miller, she was "well-liked and very social. She was always good company and a lot of fun."
Other guests agreed. "She is a very nice lady - just very warm," said Mike Kelly of Eugene.
Oatman was always entertaining friends, and guests spoke of her charm, wit and notoriously playful nature.
"She was a flirt," Gee said. "She loved to entertain. The parties at her beach house were a lot of fun; music and dancing and a lot of laughter. She was always having a good time."
Many stories were told about Oatman. Gee told a crowd that her aunt drove until she was 95 and even gave herself her own birthday party at age 90.
As retold by Gee, Rosie stood up in front of 100 or so guests and with the guest's names written on an index card, talked about how she knew each of the them, where she knew them from and what they meant to her. Things of this nature were "classic Rosie."
As to the secret of her longevity, it is about her attitude, friends said.
"Positive," Gee said. "She is always positive. That's why she's lived so long."
Brian Krichevsky, staff writer
news@dailybarometer.com, 737-2231
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