County Honors 103-Year-Old Marina del Rey Woman

Lillian Thompson, 103, a long-time resident of the Marina Manor Public Housing Development was honored at a Celebration of Life Event on Thursday.

Born in Washington, D.C. in 1910, she has been living since 1984 at the Marina Manor, located at 3405 Via Dolce, that consists of 183 public housing units for senior and disabled residents. 

Living in Marina del Rey for the last 29 years has been a “Godsend” and Thompson believes the key to longevity and a happiness is “eating slowly, constantly drinking water and walking.” 

Before moving to Marina del Rey, she lived in Minnesota, moving there in 1948. Although, Thompson never graduated high school, she received her GED at 50. Although she was an avid walker until the age of 90, a bus accident caused her to lose much of her mobility since.

She now plays bingo and enjoys watching judge shows on television as well as spending time with her six grandchildren. Thompson said her greatest inspiration is President Barack Obama and she encourages everyone to “always speak your mind.”