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‘An inspiration’: Friends and family celebrate Alberta senior, 100, who is still a Mary Kay consultant

WATCH ABOVE: A significant celebration for a Calgary woman today. Fay Kuzmar turned 100 years old. Jill Croteau reports – Dec 15, 2020

Calgarian Fay Kuzmar turned 100 years old on Tuesday.

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“I can’t think I can be that old,” Kuzmar said.

It’s about as unbelievable to her as it is to anybody that meets her. Even her doctor demanded to see a birth certificate. She’s aged incredibly well.

“I feel like I should be 80, not 100.

“I have hobbies and I have a purpose,” Kuzmar said. “My mom taught me to embroider when I was four and my grandmother taught me to crochet when I was eight, and I loved doing handwork like that. It’s fulfilling.”

Fay Kuzmar at 10 years old. Courtesy: Joy de Nance

Staff at the Valley Ridge retirement village she calls home arranged an outdoor visit around a firepit for Kuzmar and loved ones.

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Her daughter Joy de Nance was there.

“I am so glad I have a mom that’s 100, because not everyone gets that,” de Nance said.

“She can crossword faster than I can, she plays Wii bowling, she paints, she’s so very active — and that’s the key to being a healthy senior.”

Fay Kuzmar at her exercise class. Courtesy: Joy de Nance

“My sister and I were talking this morning — she lives in B.C. so couldn’t be here — but we both want to be mom when we grow up,” de Nance said. “Every year she keeps ticking, she’s an Energizer bunny.”

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Kuzmar said she’s lived a wonderful life over this past century, raising three kids and making a career out of selling Mary Kay makeup.

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“I was the fourth consultant in Calgary and scared to death,” Kuzmar said.

Fay Kuzmar meeting Mary Kay. Courtesy: Joy de Nance
“I don’t feel I was a good salesperson,” she said. “I showed [customers] the product, and if they wanted it, they bought it. When it came to closing a sale that was the hardest thing to do.”
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But she managed to earn a pink Buick.

Fay Kuzmar and her pink Buick Regal. Courtesy: Joy de Nance

“I still have a couple customers,” Kuzmar said. “When I first began and they were newly married then, and now they’re grandmas but they still come every once in a while and restock.”

Fay Kuzmar, all dolled up. Courtesy: Joy de Nance

She says another thing she believes helped her get to 100 is her love of dressing up and taking care of herself.

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“First thing in the morning, even now in the lockdown, by the time they bring my breakfast I am dressed and have my makeup on and my jewelry.”

“You look better you feel better — that’s my motto,” Kuzmar said.

Friend Elaine Coderre met Kuzmar through Mary Kay and has known her for 42 years.

Fay with Elaine. Courtesy: Elaine Coderre

“For her to get up every morning and get cute when really she doesn’t need to, just one heck of an inspiration,” Coderre said.

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“She’s amazing, she’s phenomenal and she’s got a heart as big as Texas, that’s what Fay has.”

Kuzmar received official letters wishing her a happy birthday from Calgary’s mayor, the premier, the prime minister and the Queen.

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