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The residents and staff at Eden Long-Term Care Facility at Kalkaska Memorial Health Center are planning a birthday party for her.

Burnett is delightfully lucid for her age. She has a distinctive grin, a wonderful sense of humor and a love for all things beautiful, according to Alison Heine, activities manager. The residents who joined her in the outdoor gazebo at the residence described her as very likeable.

"I never hear a bad word from her," one resident said.

After a century, Burnett has some difficulty with memory. She does not recall much about her childhood, except that she grew up in a poor family. She said she grew up in the old-fashioned way, with a love for swimming, flowers and other pretty things, and anything that was red.

"It was so long ago," she said.

Burnett recalled being proud of her father, who was very loving and her mother who was very kind.

"My father was very good to me. He talked to me so I could understand," she said. "I lived a hard life, an honest life," she said. When she was five years old, she said, she picked up an ax and accidentally cut off part of her left index finger.

She does not recall having brothers or sisters, but she does remember a little girl who came to live with her family after losing her parents in an accident. She was married, but her husband died early in their marriage, as a young man. She never remarried. She had one daughter who also died very young.

Burnett moved to Kalkaska from Indiana to be closer to her relatives. Most of her relatives are now deceased.

"I like to help people. I've made a lot of friends," she said. For many years, Burnett was involved as a volunteer with social services. She was a familiar face at Kalkaska Area Interfaith Resources.

Burnett has been a resident at the Eden Longterm Care Facility at Kalkaska Memorial Health Center for some time. She doesn't know why she has lived so long, but admitted she never smoked ciga- rettes.

Heine said Burnett still loves wading in the lake, and playing in the snow. Since she has been unable to go outdoors in the winter, the Eden Center staff brings snow inside for her. Occasionally on warm days, Eden workers take her to the lake to wade in the water.

In recent years, Burnett has enjoyed picking bouquets of flowers and arranging them for other residents. She also helped by folding laundry at the health center.

Burnett moves a bit slower now. She is no longer able to be involved in volunteer work, but she retains her love of beauty, her sense of humor and her passion for helping others.

"Daisy's name suits her. She is a joy," said Heine. A box has been set aside in one area of the center for birthday cards to Burnett. The cards will be presented to her at her birthday party. Birthday cards may be sent to Daisy Burnett, c/o Eden Longterm Care Facility, Kalkaska Memorial Health Center, 419 S. Coral, Kalkaska, Mich., 49646.

"Be kind to people. Help people and be friends to everybody," were Burnette's words of wisdom.