‘Bayside Bonnie’ celebrates 101 years

When asked for the secret to longevity, Bonnie McCarthy of Dewey Beach said she relies on dogs and the therapeutic nature of gin-soaked raisins.

McCarthy, known as “Bayside Bonnie” by her neighbors in the Bayside Court community, should know – she will celebrate her 101st birthday Nov. 16.

“Someone told me 25 years ago to prevent arthritis by soaking golden raisins in gin for three days,” she said. “I eat nine of them every day at 5 p.m. I tell anyone that wants to know, it works for me.”

Longevity runs in her family; her sister Virginia will turn 100 Jan. 7, and her brother Jerry died in his 80s, after surviving being struck by lightning while walking on the Atlantic City boardwalk decades earlier.

“It went in his ear and came out his big toe,” McCarthy said. “He lost part of his hearing and his taste, and 60 years later it came back. If anyone could get hit by lightning and enjoy it, it would be Jerry.”

Originally from Connecticut, Bonnie and her family moved to Miami after World War II, when she met her husband Charlie McCarthy in the Miami Bachelor Officer Quarters. They moved to Southern Pines, N.C., until his government job transferred him to Washington, D.C.

Bonnie volunteered as a Gray Lady, wearing a uniform and hat like an older version of a candy striper, she said. Gray Ladies were American Red Cross volunteers who worked in hospitals, healthcare facilities and private homes. She later worked as a receptionist in an allergist’s office.

“We had 600 patients, all kids, and I used to know every name,” she said.

Bonnie said she loved traveling to Maine where Charlie was from; his mother was from Ireland.

“There wasn’t anything she couldn’t do, but she’d say her husband couldn’t throw a screwdriver up in the air and catch the right side of it,” she smiled.

Charlie worked his way through Georgetown University as a tour guide and professional pallbearer, earning $5 a funeral, Bonnie said.

“That was big money in those days,” she said. 

Bonnie and Charlie had four children: Dale, Maureen, Patricia and Jenny Clark, with whom she lives. 

Just two years ago, Bonnie stopped driving after she became disoriented on the road.

“My father taught me to drive when I was 12,” she said. “I sat on a pillow; he would sleep and we’d go to Lake Ontario.”

Her mother never learned to drive. “She never steered anything,” Bonnie said. “She never had a toy with a wheel.”

Bonnie’s early driving skills were noticed by the man who conducted driving tests, she learned when she later went to take the test.

“He said he’s been watching me drive for years and I didn’t need to take it. I was kind of insulted; I wanted to take the test,” she said with a smile.

Bonnie enjoys taking George, her Lhasa Apso, out for daily walks, and she loves the beach. Her family is set to join her for her 101st birthday party Nov. 13.

“I got a lot of bosses, but they have my best interest at heart, so I go along with it,” Bonnie said, referring to her children. “I’m lucky.”