Corona “Mae” Howard turned 100 years old in November and is still living life with the same energy and humor that carried her from the farm fields of Colorado to her bowling league in Chandler, according to a news release.

Born Nov. 8, 1925, in Greeley, Colo., Howard grew up on a family farm where she worked the fields with six horses, canned everything from peaches to pickles, and learned that “sadness was not an option,” in her words.

Her parents were German farmers who immigrated to the U.S. through Ellis Island, bringing with them a deep work ethic that Mae carried throughout her life.

At age 18, Howard answered her country’s call as a true “Rosie the Riveter,” working on B-17 and B-24 bombers in Cheyenne, Wyo. — oiling engines, fixing rivets, and helping keep planes flying strong during World War II.

Howard later became one of the only female cab drivers in Colorado in the 1940s — so fearless, she said, that even being kidnapped at gunpoint on the job didn’t stop her. She calmly reasoned with her abductors until they let her go unharmed, a story she tells with a smile to this day.

Howard spent three decades working for the federal government, from commissary checker to clothing sales, before retiring and following her husband to Arizona, where she’s lived ever since.

Today, Howard is best known not only for her incredible life story, but also for her continued passion for bowling — a hobby that has taken her to every U.S. state tournament except Delaware and Maryland.

Howard still bowls weekly with her league at Bolero Bowling Alley in Chandler, where she’s known for her competitive spirit and quick wit.

When asked about the secret to a long and happy life, Howard’s advice was simple.

“Be nice to people, stay active, eat one good meal a day, and drink water. Maybe a little wine too,” she said.

Howard’s curiosity and optimism remain unshakable. A dedicated coin collector, she owns a rare 1909 S-VDB penny and eagerly awaits being able to add Puerto Rico to her 50-state quarter collection.

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