At 105, Kentucky’s oldest vaccine recipient is counting her blessings
LOUISVILLE, Ky. (WAVE) – WAVE Country’s health care workers, teachers and senior citizens have been the first in line to be vaccinated as Kentuckians and Hoosiers do their best to fight the coronavirus and return to things known and loved in the area.
Although there have been a few bumps, Kentucky’s oldest known vaccine recipient said people need to keep their heads up and keep looking on the bright side of things.
Sister Evelyn Hurley, of the Sisters of Charity in Nazareth, Kentucky, is just a few weeks away from celebrating her 106th birthday and she is still busy doing God’s work.
“I was born March 7th, 1915,” Sister Evelyn told WAVE 3 News with a smile. “I will be 106 in about a month.”
She was still caring for the infirmed and those in need right up to the beginning of the pandemic with visits while also taking those in wheelchairs for walks. She said she has seen a lot in those 106 years and experienced a lot too.
“When I was growing up, we could go to the bakery and get a dozen cupcakes for 24 cents,” she laughed.
The coronavirus pandemic is the second pandemic Sister Evelyn has lived through. She was a toddler in 1918 during the influenza pandemic.
On Jan. 22, she received the Pfizer vaccine at Nazareth from CVS with the help of Nazareth’s nursing staff. Governor Andy Beshear saluted her that day, announcing she is believed to be the oldest Kentuckian to be vaccinated so far.
“I didn’t have one speck of discomfort,” she exclaimed. “I didn’t even feel it going in. I had no redness. No swelling. Nothing at all.”
Sister Evelyn prayed that all who have the chance will do it too.
“Certainly, they’ll be doing so much good for themselves and for others really,” Sister Evelyn proclaimed.
She said depends on her faith in tough times and refuses to give in to fear.
“I try not to worry about things cause sometimes those worries that we have don’t materialize and that’s all done for nothing,” Sister Evelyn shared. “We all just have to have hope that there’s light at the end of the tunnel.”
She gives thanks for and praise to the health care workers on the front line fighting the pandemic.
“They have been heroic and some of them paid the price because they contracted it themselves,” she exclaimed.
Sister Evelyn also thinks of the teachers. She said she taught for 80 years and understands the love and loss educators feel for the students they cannot see and care for in person.
“I loved every single minute and every one of those students I ever taught is precious to my heart,” she said with a smile.
Thank you, my prayers friend! You are a living wonder!
Evelyn, I love you for who you are. Thanks for you.
Sr. Evelyn, I am thankful to God for you. You are an inspiration to me and so many. Your prayers mean so much to me.
Sr. Evelyn, never underestimate what you are to each of us! You give us courage and hope ; we love you dearly!
Dearest Sr. Evelyn, thank you for your upbeat attitude. You are an inspiration. Please pray for all the Nazareth residents and Associates who have not been able to schedule an appointment for the vaccine. It is so challenging. I lost a dear friend to Covid last week, so getting the immunization is even more important to those in my age group. Love and blessings.
Thanks for being a model for the rest of us!
Great news you have been vaccinated Sr. Evelyn! Your strength is inspirational.
God is so good to you Evelyn and SHE leaves you with us as
a true sign of love and commitment to living the Word each
day. Thank you for being YOU! Dot Jackson
You are a blessing to all of us. What a beautiful testament of faith.
May I learn to emulate Sister’s virtues and embrace her pillars of strength.
Thank you Sister Evelyn. Your smile, your energy and your life – an inspiration for us SCNs.
What an inspiration Sr. Evelyn is! So happy our paths have crossed! I’ll never forget the year she beat me in the football pool! Couldn’t have happened to a more deserving sister! She is such a gift to everyone she meets! God bless!
You prove again that “old is gold”. You are indeed exemplary in this, too. Thankyou, Sister Evelyn.
I am in awe of not only your age but your spirit…living in Christ does do good for the soul!! You obviously have had a special mission from Our Lord in this lifetime… can’t image your mission in Heaven. I pray however for your continued well-being. I am a resident as Nazareth and you are such an inspiration!
Sr Evelyn is amazing and is such a blessing to all! ❤️❤️
Thanks, Sr. Evelyn for the inspiration that you are.
Way to go, Sr. Evelyn. You are an inspiration to us and any who may be fearful. Blessings and love to you.