Harlingen resident celebrates 99th birthday

HARLINGEN, Texas (ValleyCentral)—The community at Paradise RV Park in Harlingen is celebrating the 99th birthday of one of its members.

Joy Roggow was born in 1926 in Canada, and this year, she turned 99. It is rumored that people from Canada are known for their kindness and politeness, and that is precisely what we experienced when we met Joy.

She lives up to her name.

Our ValleyCentral team found Joy amidst the festivities planned for her in Harlingen, which included balloons, cake, music, and even a jazzy tiara. She spared a few minutes from her party to tell us a little bit about her life story.

The Canadian said she moved to Minnesota and lived there until she was 10 years old. She said she remembers those years being very cold. Then her family moved to Southern Minnesota and she has lived there ever since — coming to spend half the year in the Rio Grande Valley for the past 40 years.

Joy shared that she is a widow and now spends most of her time playing music.

In fact, her favorite memory about the Valley is the music she has learned to play here ,which she refers to as Blue Grass Country.

"That's what I occupy most of my time with is playing music," she said. "Playing and signing."

Joy plays acoustic instruments, and her instrument of choice is an autoharp.

She says she has lived a great life and when she reflects on her memories, she can't point out a singular moment that is her favorite. She has room in her heart for all her memories.

When asked how she hopes to be remembered, Joy replied that she would like to be remembered as someone with a sense of humor, an inspiration to others, and someone who believes anyone can be talented.

"I did not know the first thing about an auto harp until I got one and then if you take lessons and if you like music then you're naturally adapted to it. You can do it if you try," she said.

Some of Joy's other hobbies throughout her life have included being an antique dealer.

She had several shops. Joy also enjoyed being a church organist. Throughout all that time, she still played music, but just a different kind.

When asked if she has any words of wisdom to share, she replied, "I can't I really can't because I've just lived my life the best I could and it's been an interesting life."