La Vernia woman turns 101

Irma Santiago Torres shares her secret to a happy life

LA VERNIA, Texas – Not everyone gets to celebrate 101 birthdays. But not everyone is Irma Santiago Torres.

Santiago Torres turned 101 on April 13. Originally from Puerto Rico, she’s lived in La Vernia for the past 22 years.

She has six children, 16 grandchildren, 36 great-grandchildren and seven great-great-grandchildren.

Santiago Torres spends her days playing dominos, gardening, telling jokes and being involved in church activities.

Her daughter, Lillian Furrow, told KSAT her mother is also very sassy.

She’s never smoked cigarettes or drank alcohol.

Santiago Torres credits her long life to a positive attitude. She doesn’t believe in saying negative things about people and treats everyone as a friend.


About the Author

Stephania Jimenez is an anchor on The Nightbeat. She began her journalism career in 2006, after graduating from Syracuse University. She's anchored at NBC Philadelphia, KRIS in Corpus Christi, NBC Connecticut and KTSM in El Paso. Although born and raised in Brooklyn, Stephania considers Texas home. Stephania is bilingual! She speaks Spanish.

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