For 89-year-old Randpark Ridge resident Jean Levy, life is best enjoyed one step at a time and preferably to the beat of music. With a love for music, movement and laughter, she continues to embrace life through line dancing at Randpark Ridge’s Shaw All Star, finding happiness in every step.

While many people might slow down with age, Levy continues to lace up her walking shoes, head out for her daily 3km walk and make time for the activity that brings her so much happiness: line dancing.

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She explained that she started line dancing at the beginning of the year when a friend invited her, and now she loves it. “I love the people that we dance with, and it just makes me feel good,” she said. “I had a lot of falls, bad falls, and I was very unsteady, and this helped me through everything. It helped me get my balance back. I live on my own, and I look after myself. I still drive everywhere, and I just enjoy every day.”

All her children have emigrated, but she gets up and makes the best of every day. She said she tries to be positive and active.

Her love of movement is nothing new. As a teenager, Levy enjoyed playing soccer, and music and dancing were already part of her life. Staying active was woven into who she was long before she became an inspiration to others.

“I started dancing when I was about eight, but different types of dancing. I did tap dancing, ballet, some Scottish dancing, and when I was 18, I stopped dancing, but I’ve always loved music.”

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At 50, she took up parkrun, embracing another way to keep fit and challenge herself. Later, her priorities changed when she stepped away from running to care for her husband. He sadly passed away two years ago, marking a significant change in her life.

Levy has found a new rhythm. Line dancing offers her more than an opportunity to exercise. It brings fun, laughter and the pleasure of sharing a dance with others. The music starts, the steps follow, and for a while, the worries of everyday life take a back seat.

“This line dancing is lovely because it’s not too much for older people. They can cope. It doesn’t matter how old you are. It’s just one of the most enjoyable things I’ve done. When I finish my hour, I feel so different. I feel as though you can carry on again.”

She said when her children heard that she was dancing, they wouldn’t believe her. For Levy, keeping active and fit remains important. Her daily walks help her maintain her fitness, while dancing feeds her spirit. At 89, she is not keeping up with life; she is continuing to participate in it wholeheartedly.

“I would tell anybody, it doesn’t matter how old you are; age is nothing. You’ve got to want to do things, and you’ve got to enjoy it, and I love it.” She continues to live her life and enjoy every moment. She likes to spend her time with her grandchildren.

“I spend the afternoons with my family, and that keeps me going. I’ve got plenty of grandchildren, plenty of great-grandchildren, but they’re all over the world. I’ve got 20 great-grandchildren, and they are amazing. When we’re together, we always have fun with the grandkids, and when I go overseas to see my children, we enjoy ourselves together. I’ve been very blessed to get to this age and be healthy and strong.”

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