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100-year-old shares her life experiences in new memoir

Posted at 7:54 AM, May 23, 2018
and last updated 2018-05-23 11:05:01-04

It's a special time for a Tucson woman, who worked for the American Red Cross during WWII.

Virgina Reynolds is not only getting ready to turn 100-years-old, but she's preparing to share her life experiences in a brand new memoir.

She tells KGUN9 that she wanted to get her Masters and PhD from the University of Minnesota, but plans changed and she joined the American Red Cross during WWII instead.

Reynolds was stationed in England and says she worked to make a home away from home for those who were in the hospital after being wounded in battle. She wanted to make sure everyone felt comfortable.  

She'd take the GI's on nature walks and spark up a game of tennis or ping pong, all while German bombers and fighter planes soared overhead. It may sound terrible to most, but all Reynolds was concerned about was the well-being of the soldiers and if they made it home. 

Reynolds jokes about her courage during the war, calling herself a "major wimp" and that "wimps are out having more fun."

While overseas, Reynolds also found love and got married to her husband of 65 years.

Now, she spends most of her time painting and writing, and is already working on her third book.

When asked about the secret to a long, healthy life, she gives props to her mother and the strength that she taught her while growing up. 

On Wednesday, May 23 at the Hacienda at the River on 2720 E. River Rd., Reynolds will share more from her memoir at 2:30 p.m. with a small reception to follow.