A Birthday Celebration 103 Years in the Making

Double Creek Senior Living in Round Rock was honored to celebrate Ms. Megs Barrow, one of their esteemed residents, on her 103rd birthday. 

Megs’ story: 103 years of living

Her adventurous life story includes many travels, careers, hobbies, and family. Her senior living community recently hosted a special birthday celebration to let Megs know just how amazing she is. 

Megs was born in St. Paul, Minnesota on January 17, 1921. She was married to Mike Barrow, a Major in the United States Air Force (USAF) and a bomber pilot. Megs and Mike had four children—Michael, Tim, Brad, and Karen. The family had an adventurous life, moving 22 times in 18 years with the USAF, then finally settling down in Colorado Springs, Colorado.  

Megs started her career as a secretary during WWII and worked for the Civil Service as a secretary in St. Paul. She then took advantage of an opportunity to go to Anchorage, Alaska to work at the base located there. This base was the first defense against the Japanese if a North American invasion occurred. “There were 500 women and 50,000 men on base,” shared Megs. Her skills enabled her to be the secretary to the commanding General of the base.  

While in Alaska, she had the time of her life. She took every opportunity to explore, bike, fish, and dance to big-band music. She also met Mike. After the war, they married in St. Paul and set off on their adventure. 

Throughout her travels with Mike’s career in the USAF, Megs worked as an executive secretary. After leaving the USAF, Mike was a custom home builder and then worked for Air America in Southeast Asia, rescuing downed service members during the Vietnam conflict. 

After Mike’s passing, Megs enrolled at the University of Colorado in Colorado Springs to study accounting. She transferred to the accounting department for a defense contractor, where she worked and retired as head of accounts payable in 1989.  

A champion gardener, Megs began growing roses in Colorado. She expanded her interests to include other beautiful flowers in her yard in Colorado Springs and then Texas. She mowed her own yard until she was 89. 

Another pastime of Megs’ was knitting baby blankets for her grandchildren, grandnieces and nephews, and friends’ children and grandchildren. She has four grandchildren – Lindsay, Andrea, Brad, and Keenan- and one great-grandchild, Ethan. Megs’ blankets are still loved by several family members in their 30s today. She is unable to knit anymore due to her sight, but her new favorite pastime is “READING, READING, READING.”

Megs came to Texas with her daughter Karen and her husband Dwight in 2011 for Dwight’s job. She lived in Sun City until she was nearly 101 when she became a beloved resident at Double Creek Senior Living.

When asked about her secret to longevity, Megs replied, “Mostly genetics” (per one of her doctors), but she also shared that she has been active all her life and only imbibes in a Manhattan cocktail every once in a while. 

During her 103 years, Megs has been most impressed by advances in flight, space travel, and computers. She shares that she’s had many memorable moments, but some of her favorites are her three years in Alaska, her one-month traveling solo around Ireland, and her three scuba diving trips to Mexico. 

“We had a ‘Roaring 20s’ themed party for Megs’ birthday, and her family and friends were invited,” shares Activity Director Kerri Coffield. “Megs is such a sweet and lovely person, and I’m in awe of her long and interesting life.” 

The community was happy to host an event in her honor. The attached photos were taken by Double Creek Senior Living. For more information about Double Creek Senior Living, please visit their website.