Aurora mayor John Laesch visited the home of longtime Aurora resident Jessie Rangel Bourge, who celebrated her 101st birthday December 25.
Bourge was born and raised in Aurora, before getting married at the age of 21 and moving to Mexico. Following a 20-year stint in Mexico, Bourge moved back to Aurora, where she has lived ever since. Bourge was married to her husband, Carlos, for more than 50 years, and had five children with him.
She worked until she was 75 years old, cooked until she was 99 years old, and has never had surgery nor is on any medication. Currently, Bourge enjoys playing games on the computer, playing board games, and playing cards with her daughter each day.
“This is a huge milestone for Jessie,” mayor Laesch said. “The City of Aurora is proud to recognize her 101st birthday and appreciates her decades of service to the community.”
Bourge’s secret to her long life? Healthy eating, cooking everything from scratch, and refraining from all fast food. She also attributes her age to receiving the proper amount of rest each day and drinking a glass of wine with her dinner.
—City of Aurora government