Positive attitude, Fireball keys to longevity for Cincinnatian celebrating 106th birthday

CINCINNATI (WKRC) - A Florence woman celebrated her 106th birthday on Monday.

A private party was held for Florence “Flo” Hackman on Saturday at Traditions of Deerfield in Loveland. Hackman remains very active in that assisted living community; she attends Happy Hour daily with her friends. She is always up for Bingo, crafts, and live music.

When asked what the secret to longevity is, Hackman's response is to always be happy and positive, and of course, a little Fireball helps too! In fact, Fireball Cinnamon Whisky sent Hackman complimentary bottles and merchandise to honor her big day last year.

“I just try to be nice to people and try to go one day at a time - that’s all,” said Flo in a news release. “If you get that one day in, then you can go on to the next one. So that’s what you’ve got to do – one day at a time – think what I’ve got to do today. You’ve got to keep moving as long as you can.“

Hackman is a big Cincinnati Bengals fan who hopes to meet Chad Johnson in person one day.

Hackman was born in Cincinnati to her parents, Margaret and Henry, in 1918. She is the youngest of nine children and a great-great-grandmother. Flo was married for 71 years to Joseph Hackman, who passed in 2011. She worked for the Union Central Life Insurance Company and later focused on being a homemaker.

Flo says her mom lived to be 104, so longevity runs in the family.

According to research last year from Boston University, there are only about 2,500 centenarians in Ohio and only 0.23% of U.S. women reach 106 years of age.