Today was Great Aunt Cecilia’s 100th Birthday party – she was born on August 4, 1918! The party was held at the local VFW in Crystal, Minnesota. Actually it was just south of the Crystal Airport and you could see the hangers from the VFW parking lot. I have flown into the Crystal Airport a few times and they have a nice Tower, but I recall that they have confusing taxiways and runways.
I only knew a small fraction of the relatives that were there and so I needed to introduce myself as “Kay’s granddaughter – yes, the older twin” or “Carole’s daughter, yes the older twin.” Cecilia’s husband Frank was my Grandfather Steve’s brother. I don’t remember Frank, but Cecilia has always been very nice to me and the twin and its always wonderful to see her at the 4th of July parties. There were around 100 people at the birthday party. While talking to people at the party, a few people mentioned my Grandmother Kay and how kind she was to them, so that was really nice to hear.
I asked Cecilia what was her secret to living to 100 and she said: hard work, then something to do with God, and neither Mom or I can remember her third item. I hope that was not the important one to know! Haha. Mom did ask her if she had a glass of wine every night and she said no.
A fun surprise to the party was that two of the local news channels: Channel 11 KARE and Channel 5 KSTP stopped in to filmed her. Cecilia’s mother lived to be 114 and at one time they were the oldest living mother and daughter. The stories about Cecilia aired on the news programs tonight.
Happy Birthday Cecilia!
A few photos from the party:
