[pooh]

My father was 97 when he died. His mother, my grandmother was in her late 90's when she died. My great grandmother, grandmother's mother was 99 when she passed away. Great grandmother smoked, would have liquor ever now and again and ate whatever she wanted. Grandmother did not smoke, but did eat what might be considered a healthy/unhealthy diet. Ate fruit, nuts, some veggies, but also meat, fatty and lean, eggs, cheese, fish and sweets. Dad smoked cigars for years, had a highball or beer a few nights each week, loved eggs, seafood, beef, pork and chicken. He also enjoyed ice cream, Fritos, white bread, salami, cold cuts. Dad did drink tea just about every day and he walked lots! Dad, Grandma and Great Grandma were Portuguese.

Mom was 88 when she passed. She outlived her older and younger siblings. She wasn't a big veggie or fruit eater. She did love beef, chicken, seafood, cold cuts, ice cream, sweets, scotch and she smoked for years. My Grandmother, Mom's Mom was in her 70's when she died. Emphysema took her life, and she was never a smoker and never was around smokers. She was a walker and until she became ill, was active, living on her own on the second floor of the three family home she owned. Her illness took her life quickly which to this day, makes me believe there was something else involved. She took ill and died in just a few months. This is the Italian side of my family.

Both Grandfathers passed early, Mom's father, before I was born, my Dad's father when I was about 9.