WE WOULD LIKE TO THANK THE MEMBERS OF THE SOLANO COUNTY COMMUNITY FOR HELPING IN MAKING THIS PROGRAM POSSIBLE. FROM THE PEOPLE WHO HELPED SPREAD THE WORD AND RECOMMENDED CENTENARIANS, TO THE FAMILIES, FRIENDS AND ASSISTED LIVING FACILITIES THAT WORKED WITH US TO COLLECT PICTURES AND THE LIFE STORIES OF OUR CENTENARIANS. EACH OF YOU HAVE HELPED RECOGNIZE AND HONOR THE RESIDENTS OF SOLANO COUNTY WHO HAVE REACHED THE STATUS OF CENTENARIAN
2023 HONOREES Farideh Amirkhizi
Rosalind Faraday
Caroline Low
Hazel Booher
John Fitt
Ursula Malloch
CW Callaway
Louise Follett
Virginia Mangabat
Julia Carrington
Ivarn Foulk
Tsuyako Miyagashima
Ed Case
Maria Luz Tobias Galang
Dona Cecilia Nunez
Willie Jack Chaffee
John Gonge
Virginia Ruth Plunkett
Arthur Child
Charlotte Hahn
Mary Louise Rhemus
Marian Coles
Shirley Helmich
Blanche Richardson
Anna Conger
Eunice Hilton
Charlotte Stack
Phyllis Craig
Anthony Harry “Bill” Horton
Elizabeth Tate
Helen Devlin
Helen Jacks
Laverne Thompson
Oakley Dexter
Pearl Joe
Guadalupe Vidales
Adelina Diaz
Angelina King
Xanthia Warren
Robert Dittmer
John Knebel
Mary Weyand
Philomae Dixon
Charlotte Koslosky
Margaret White
Evelyn Ewing
Robert Kuznik
Leona Young
SECTION
MESSAGE TO THE
COMMUNITY THE SOLANO COUNTY BOARD OF SUPERVISORS IS HONORED TO SHARE ITS 17 TH ANNUAL CENTENARIAN COMMEMORATION WITH YOU. THIS YEARBOOK IS A TRIBUTE TO THIS COUNTY’S OLDEST LIVING RESIDENTS. THE PICTURES AND STORIES INSIDE THIS DOCUMENT HIGHLIGHT THE LIVES AND CONTRIBUTIONS OF THE GREATEST GENERATION, ROSIE THE RIVETERS, WAR VETERANS, COMMUNITY LEADERS, MOTHERS, FATHERS, GRANDPARENTS AND GREAT GRANDPARENTS. THESE INDIVIDUALS HAVE CONTRIBUTED SO MUCH AND ARE TRULY THE FABRIC OF OUR SOCIETY. WE CAN LEARN A LOT FROM OUR CENTENARIANS AND WE FEEL IT IS IMPORTANT TO LISTEN TO THEIR STORIES, GAIN INSIGHT FROM THEIR WORLD VIEW WITH THE UNDERSTANDING THAT THEIR LIVED EXPERIENCE IS UNLIKE THAT OF SO MANY OTHERS. EACH CENTENARIAN LISTED IN THIS YEARBOOK HAS MADE A LASTING CONTRIBUTION TO THEIR FAMILIES AND THOSE AROUND THEM. WE CANNOT MEASURE THE VALUE THEY CONTINUE TO BRING TO US ALL, BUT WE STRIVE TO RECOGNIZE THEM AND OFFER A PLATFORM FOR THEIR VOICES. THIS RECOGNITION ALSO SERVES AS A TRIBUTE TO THOSE WHO HAD SADLY PASSED AWAY DURING THE CALENDAR YEAR. WE HOPE YOU GET SOME ENJOYMENT OUT OF PERUSING THIS DOCUMENT AND TAKE A MOMENT TO REFLECT ON EVERYTHING THAT OUR OLDEST LIVING RESIDENTS HAVE PROVIDED TO US.
ERIN HANNIGAN
MONICA BROWN
WANDA WILLIAMS
JOHN M. VASQUEZ
MITCH MASHBURN
DISTRICT 1
DISTRICT 2
DISTRICT 3
DISTRICT 4
DISTRICT 5
VICE CHAIR
CHAIR PRO TEM
CHAIR
SOLANO COUNTY BOARD OF SUPERVISORS
SECTION
THEIR STORIES
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hether you worked on a farm, were a homemaker, or fought the good fight, each and every one of us has a story to tell, it is just a matter of being ready to listen. For our 2023 Centenarians, we have the ability to hear the stories
from those who have lived for a century. There are stories of joining the war effort overseas and at home; of starting businesses from nothing; and discovering a lifetime passion that keeps them motivated.
Take a moment to learn their secret to longevity, their stories of love, tales to astonish, and their most memorable moments of a life well-lived. These are your Centenarians
JANUARY 15, 1921
FARIDEH AMIRKHIZI
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Farideh was an artist, not only could she draw, but she was also an expert seamstress, and
Secret to longevity: perhaps her love for tea
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arideh Amirkhizi was born Jan 15, 1921, in Tabriz Iran. After graduating from High School, she enrolled in an all-female college and became a teacher. She was an elementary teacher and later vice-principal until she retired. She and her husband Cyrus Pakbaz moved to France to a little town near Lake Lemond for about 12 years. Cyrus then encountered some medical issues, and they moved to California in 1985 to be closer to their two sons and family.
embroideries on dresses, belts, and even shoes were talked about wherever she went.
got worse. In 2015 her husband passed, and she moved to Vacaville to a memory care facility. After a couple of years, she suffered from a hip injury impacting her mobility and is now residing at Fairfield Post-Acute. Farideh has 8 grandchildren and 5 great-grandchildren. She loves animals, especially cats, cookies, and hot tea, which her son brings to her every week when he visits.
Farideh enjoyed working outside taking care of the garden, she had a green thumb. She could tell everything about plants and trees. She enjoyed cooking and traveling whenever she could. Around 2011 she started to suffer from memory loss which gradually
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NOVEMBER 3, 1914
HAZEL BOOHER
Hazel played the organ for the church and sang in the choir; she enjoys music, FaceTime with
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her daughter, needlepoint, and exercise by walking and nustep bike Her secret to longevity is to “Lead a good Christian life, “exercise to keep your blood moving”, a good diet and a healthy ancestor background.
You do what you can and how you can and when you can
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azel Booher was born in Doran, Minnesota. She was a military wife and homemaker for her 2 children Dr. Jim Booher, and Geri Horsma. She has been known for her great sense of humor.
AUGUST 12, 1920
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CW CALLAWAY
He has written his memoirs and a history of the Mien church in English
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W Callaway was born Aug. 12, 1920 in Perryton, Texas and was the 4th of 7 children. His only sister, 4 brothers, wife, 2 granddaughters, and 1 great granddaughter are all deceased. He met Lois Nadine Elkerton in Phillips Univ. Bible College. They shared a similar passion for mission service and married in Enid, Oklahoma on May 28, 1942. He earned Bachelor’s degrees from Phillips and Cincinnati Bible Seminary. He did graduate studies at Indiana U., attended Summer Institute of Linguistics, Norman, OK and Missionary School of Medicine, London, England. During his undergraduate studies he ministered at Christian Churches in Cache & Glencoe, OK and Syria & Bethel churches, Orleans, IN. In 1948 CW & Lois spent 4 months in Rangoon. Burma (Myanmar) seeking permission to serve among the Rawang people
of extreme northern Burma. Failing in that, they moved on to Kunming, China. The communist takeover forced them to leave there late in 1949. They then pioneered an outreach among the Mien Mountain tribe in Northern Thailand and served there for 35 years. From 1985 onward to the present he has served among Mien immigrants to the U.S. A number of other missionaries have since 1950 joined in the outreach to the
Mien so that there are currently nearly 30,000 Mien Christians. These converts are in China, Vietnam, Laos, Thailand, France, England, Canada and U.S.A. He served for many years in Mien family and youth camps. He aided in the establishing of the Mien Christian Radio ministry and worked with Mien in the audio recording of the Mien Bible as well as in many other projects.
Lois died in an automobile accident on Sept. 5, 1996. One son-in-law, two granddaughters, and one great granddaughter are also deceased. Still living are his five children: James Lelan Callaway, Jon Mark Callaway , Joyce E. Nicholson, Jennifer Ley Goddard, & Joel David Callaway, as well as a Thai foster daughter: Nola (Warunya) Potikom. Also still living are 14 grandchildren, 18 great grandchildren, and two great great grandchildren. CENTENARIAN COMMEMORATION 2023
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MARCH 20, 1921
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ED CASE
Secret to longevity: I think the Lord has been with me
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to Fort Hood, Texas, for basic training. He was transferred to Seattle, Washington, then shipped out to the Mariana Islands. By his discharge date in 1946, he had attained the rank of sergeant.
dward worked as a missionary in Mexico as a linguist, translating the Bible into native Indian languages in Mexico not long after he married his first wife, Betty. He returned stateside, to Mare Island Naval Shipyard in Vallejo, as a civilian, but was quickly inducted and sent
A missionary for most of his adult life, Case later spent 11 years in Cuba and then another 11 years in Puebla and Mexico City, Mexico, where he continued to teach teachers to teach children. One of the ways he engaged children was through ventriloquism.
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Some years later, Case began taking care of his elderly mother after fully retiring from his ministry and lived in Glendora, in Southern California.
Unfortunately, in 2005, Ed saw the passing of his wife but as luck would have it, his high school sweetheart, Dottie, also lost her husband. Ed reached out to offer his condolences and asked if they could rekindle their high school romance. They were married shortly after and were together for 15 years before her passing in 2022.
AUGUST 19, 1923
WILLIE JACK CHAFFEE
Family has always been a driving force in Willie’s life, as she kept her ever-expanding family fed with her award-winning food. She is blessed with five children, 16 grandchildren, 25 great grandchildren, and 3 great great grandchildren, so she’s had a lot of practice perfecting her recipes.
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illie Jack Chaffee was born August 19, 1923 in Eustace, Texas. Willie was an Airforce wife, following her husband when transferred to Travis Air Force base where Willie worked as an assistant to records, supply, and a switchboard operator for another ten years before retiring.
Do not leave God out of your life, love everyone and to keep hatred out of your life. If they do that, they will get along just fine
When she’s not with her family, her fondest memories are traveling the world to walk on the glaciers of Alaska, seeing the terra cotta warriors of China, and standing on the pontoons of airplanes in the ocean. She has stayed active and always moving. She is a cancer survivor and broke her back and worked on her pt program and came back from that. She loves life and to her family, she is their hero. CENTENARIAN COMMEMORATION 2023
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MAY 28, 1922
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rthur Child was stationed on the USS Oklahoma, where he spent the first 10 months of duty swabbing the decks, painting the mast, and doing general deck force jobs.
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Getting old is not for the lighthearted
On December 7th, 1941, the USS Oklahoma was attacked by Japanese forces and sunk; Arthur’s
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ARTHUR CHILD
battle station, the telephone talker for the Gunnery officer, did not survive. After leaving the Naval Academy, Arthur went to supply corps school and then was stationed in Yokosuka, Japan. Arthur was married the same day as his graduation. Arthur says that being 100 years old is not for the lighthearted. “Everything gets a little harder. Getting up, getting down, walking, everything. But it’s better than the alternative.
OCTOBER 29, 1923
MARIAN COLES
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arian Coles was born in Sundance, Wyoming and the youngest in her family of three brothers and three sisters, where she loved roaming around the scenic hills. Her father ran the local paper, which became a family-run business when Marian and her siblings took on various tasks in running the paper; Marian started off as the folder of the papers but eventually became a typesetter as a teenager.
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She has 8 grandchildren and 17 great-grandchildren. No matter her age, Marian still enjoys hiking and roaming through nature. Even though she never obtained a pilot’s license, Marian loves the sensation of flying and traveling the country as the explorer that she was as a child. Marian joined him as they moved from base to base. They traveled to North Carolina, Maryland, Kansas, and eventually Germany. By this point in their lives, they had their first son who graduated High School while they were stationed in Germany.
Always keep moving and not sit around
With the war in full swing, Gordon joined the US Marines and then the Army Airforce, which
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When her father bought a newspaper business in Oregon, the whole family uprooted their life to begin anew as Marian was entering the 10th grade. The move would be fortuitous as Marian would meet her future husband, Gordon, shortly after moving. Though he was originally interested in her older sister, Marian would eventually catch his eye.
airplane as a teenager, living in Germany, skiing the Swiss Alps, and traveling all over Europe and the US.
Her most memorable experiences were flying in a small
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MARCH 13, 1922
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ANNA CONGER
Teaching first graders with the same love of education that her parents had given her
After traveling to California with her husband and two young children, Anna learned that she could be a teacher; teaching first graders with the same love of education that her parents had given her. took to flying as well. With their new found sense of freedom, they traveled to Alaska, New York, and across California.
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nna was born on a small farm in Doka, Indiana in 1922.
Growing up on a farm with her older sister afforded a sense of closeness as the two would spend their afternoons picking strawberries, milking the cows and taking care of chickens. Due to financial issues, her father was not able to finish school so he and her mother made sure that their children were able to accomplish what he couldn’t and made sure that Anna and her sister had a well-rounded education outside of the farm.
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In addition to flying, Anna loved to ski down blue diamond slopes, which would become annual tradition with her family as her photo albums filled up with pictures of her family on the slopes As Anna and her husband welcomed their third child, they began taking trips, not by car but by planes that they flew themselves. Anna’s husband loved to fly after he left the military and Anna, despite initial reservations,
CENTENARIAN COMMEMORATION 2023
JULY 10, 1922
PHYLLIS CRAIG
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Early on she moved a lot from Iowa to Wisconsin. A farm girl, she shared her childhood with brothers Russ and Roland. They raised pigs, foxes and other critters.
began together in Alaska. On February 19, 1949, they welcomed a son, Richard Lee, into their lives in Alaska. Over the years they had Linda in 1951 and then Marsha in 1953.
She graduated high school in West Bend, Wisconsin, with her heart set on becoming a nurse and that is exactly what she did, joining St. Thereas’s School of Nursing in Waukegan, Illinois, in 1940. After working in several hospitals, she decided to enlist, joining the Army in 1945. Craig’s new military life saw her traveling to a lot of different spots on the globe.
Phyllis retired from nursing after 21 years.
While working the maternity ward, she was introduced to Edward Craig while visiting a friend. They dated for six weeks. After meeting his parents, Ed asked her to go to Alaska with him since he had orders to ship out.
She made sure to clarify that was as his wife not girlfriend and after conferring with her best gal pals, she came back with a firm yes to the trip to Alaska and yes to being his wife. They were married on May 27, 1948.
She stays active with various groups like the Lions Club and a nurses group. Her life story was included in the book, “Remembering WWII Women,” written by Linda E. Minton.
After spending a few months apart, their lifelong adventures
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Craig was not one to stay in one place long. She found out about a job at March Air Force Base in California. With her good friend Minnie Graff, they hopped a plane and came to the golden state for a new position in the hospital at the maternity ward.
They could not stop traveling and the couple made many great memories for 47 years before the passing of Ed on April 7, 1997.
Her life story was included in the book, “Remembering WWII Women,” written by Linda E. Minton.
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APRIL 18, 1923
H
elen was born and raised in Wisconsin. She came to California during World War 2, who, along with her sister, Marlene, helped in the war effort by transporting soldiers via bus from San Francisco Treasure Island and other necessary bases. Helen and her husband remember being in California at war’s end. They lived in Marin County until moving to the Redding area and eventually settled in Solano County in 2014 where she helped to organize
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Secret to longevity: to take each day as it comes
the Golden Gate Sky Club, with their home base located at Lake Berryessa. Helen was a career woman who worked over 35 years for PAC BELL where she was a Supervisor/ Trainer for business reps in the SF Area. Although she had no children
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HELEN DEVLIN
of her own, she had several nieces and nephews she loved. Her family in Solano County includes her niece, Colleen, great-nephew, Jason, great-niece Tiffany, as well as her children, Syndey and Sean. Helen enjoys playing bingo at Cornerstone Assisted Living Facility
JUNE 11, 1923
OAKLEY DEXTER
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While in training in radar classes, Oakley was given a twoweek furlough, where he went to visit his fiancé back in Washington DC and promptly married her.
cable company came into the area and rather than compete, Oakley opted to sell the business and retire at the age of 60 to enjoy a peaceful life.
Oakley’s military career had him focus on communications
After retirement, Oakley became a volunteer firefighter and was a teacher at the local Sunday school service, wanting to continue to help people anyway he could.
Try to treat people as honestly as I could
family along. After high school, Oakley attempted to enlist in the air force as an aviation cadet but was denied due to being enrolled in college, being told to finish his classes then try again; he dropped out of college and was accepted.
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akley, much like his parents, and his grandmother before him, was born in San Francisco, California. In his senior year of high school, the attack on Pearl Harbor had his father transferred to Washington DC, bringing the
through photography such as aerial photos of plane crashes, 16mm photoshoots, photo ids while also exploring other means of communications that would serve him well after the war. Once discharged, Oakley moved back to Washington DC to be with his wife where he took a job installing and repairing auto radios, then installing organs, televisions, and glass displays.
During the wedding to his second wife, Catherine, they had intended to hold a small event but all the people that Oakley had impacted in his life wanted to share in his celebration and the venue was packed.
With a small loan from his grandmother, Oakley was able to put a downpayment on a building to start a business, which eventually grew to warrant expanding the building with a second floor. He managed his business until the CENTENARIAN COMMEMORATION 2023
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SEPTEMBER 19, 1919
ADELINA DIAZ
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delina was born in the Philippines, where she helped to share her knowledge with the younger generation as a grade schoolteacher. While boarding a flight to Kona, Hawaii for a family reunion to celebrate her 100th birthday, a flight attendant learned that it was Adelina’s milestone. Over the intercom, the flight staff lead everyone on board in singing
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for happy birthday. When she stepped off the plane, Adelina was serenaded by five Hawaiians with their ukeleles. This event was impactful for not only Adelina, but for her family to help honor her as she loved to sing. Adelina has always had a very positive attitude about life and never complained nor did she get angry easily; this is because she has always been grateful in life and works to see the good in people and in any situation. Despite her dementia having progressed, she still maintains her positive attitude.
CENTENARIAN COMMEMORATION 2023
NOVEMBER 20, 1920
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ROBERT "BOB" DITTMER
obert is a native Californian and was born in Fairfield. He grew up on the Dittmer Ranch, purchased by his grandfather in 1881 and operated by Robert today as the fifth generation. Robert attended Green Valley Grammar School and Armijo High School.
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Following the war, he attended Washington State University and worked at Travis Air Base. On August 5, 1950, during the Korean War, Robert was on duty as assistant fire chief when General
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After high school graduation, he worked at Mare Island prior to the war. During World War II, Robert served on the Eighth Air Force as a Lieutenant on a B-17 crew as navigator-bombardier.
personnel still on board. The explosion, created by an atomic bomb on the aircraft, caused extensive damage, breaking plate glass store windows as far away as Suisun.
He met Lois on base. They started dating and were married in 1951; they have two children and four grandchildren
Robert and a partner owned and operated Fairfield Glass Company in Fairfield and Vacaville Glass Company in Vacaville for more than 29 years and were active in Downtown Merchants and miscellaneous civic affairs. Bob has been a member of Kiwanis International for more than 50 years.
Robert F. Travis Commander’s aircraft crashed, burned, and exploded. General Travis survived the crash but died enroute to the hospital. Robert was severely burned as he attempted to enter the aircraft to rescue military
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AUGUST 14, 1921
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Secret to longevity: Just longevity
hilomae Dixon was born an only child in Jeanerette, LA, being raised by her father and his grandmother in Rayne, LA.
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PHILOMAE DIXON
As an adult, Philomae moved to Chicago, IL, where she spent over 40 years doing domestic work for prominent Chicagoans while raising her five children. As it was her passion, Philomae enjoyed cooking and baking for family and friends, always welcoming people to her table for a meal. Philomae’s life has been full of milestones that have brought her closer to her family and the lord, such as her baptism, her high school graduation, her marriage, and the birth of her five children. After suffering a minor medical condition, Philomae moved to Vallejo to be with her daughter in 2010. In recovery, she has enjoyed watching western movies and TV shows and reading maps. She still enjoys getting her family together for BBQ meals when it’s possible to spend time with her 19 grandchildren, 53 great children, and over 45 great great grandchildren.
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JANUARY 5, 1922
She was the second youngest of eleven children with 10 other siblings.
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sewing, painting landscapes, television, family visits and conversations with friends.
husband was absent during the war, and she again relied upon family and friends.
Evelyn’s most memorable experiences were the Great Depression as a child and young woman. And World War II as a mother and young wife. Her
Secret to longevity? A caring and loving family, great friends and modern medicine. Although she will soon be 102, she often says that part of her is mid to late 20’s.
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venlyn Ewing was born in the family farmhouse in Valley County Nebraska. The nearest town was Ord Nebraska.
EVELYN EWING
Secret to Longevity; A caring and loving family, great friends and modern medicine
She doesn’t dwell on death. To her, people don’t “die”. They simply have a “shelf life” and eventually reach their “Expiration Date”; like the foods in the supermarket.
Orphaned at age 4, she was shuttled around and lived with her older siblings throughout Nebraska until married at age 18. She was brought to Solano County to be cared for and aided by her only child “Bill” Ewing and lives independently at Cogir retirement community in Vacaville. Evelyn has one child, a son. Four grandchildren and two great grandchildren. Her hobbies are baking, sewing, painting and cooking. She has worked as a housewife and waitress. She currently enjoys baking, CENTENARIAN COMMEMORATION 2023
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DECEMBER 20, 1920
ROSALIND FARADAY
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osalind Faraday attended NYU in 1940 and volunteered to be part of a group of fifteen women in a program, sponsored by the CAA to determine whether women could learn to fly. Trained in Piper Cub Seaplanes at Babylon, Long Island, made cross- country flights and received limited licenses.
Faraday helped build the ships and planes that America used to win in World War II.
So, she went to work on planes for the war effort, installing gearboxes into Grumman Wildcat fighter planes on Long Island. Work went from about 7:30 a.m. to 6 p.m. weekdays, with quitting time shortened to 4 p.m. Saturdays. “Most of our lives were in the factory,” she said.
Faraday says, “It made me feel qualified to work on airplanes,” she said, adding she’s not sure why she felt this correlation.
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Secret to longevity: Luck, live an easy life
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She met her late husband Jim Faraday in 1943 on a blind date a Major at the time. Orders had them move to San Francisco, where their two daughters were born. She earned a California teaching credential and a Master’s degree at San Jose State. She taught high school English and Public Address. She and Jim were Avid sailors and enjoyed the waters of San Francisco Bay, the Caribbean, and the San Juan Islands. Jim died in 2001, when she moved to Fairfield Paradise Valley Estates Retirement Community. Her hobbies include photography, essay writing, reading and classical music. She has 3 grandchildren and 6 great grandchildren.
AUGUST 12, 1923
JOHN FITT
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In his youth, he enjoyed photography and playing sports. As an adult, he loved playing the bass guitar and self-taught himself to speak, write and read Spanish.
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John and his wife, Shirley, have been married for 61 years. Together, they raised 13 children, and have 13 grandchildren, with one great grandchild on the way.
Secret to longevity: exercise, healthy eating, and good genes.
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ohn Fitt was born in Harlem, New York but left as soon as he could to seek new adventures out west. He lived in Phoenix, Arizona for a brief period, where he opened his first dental practice. He later moved to Los Angeles, alifornia, and then moved the amily to Bakersfield, where orked at the State of California s a Dentist at San Quentin State rison, where he held the position of Chief Dentist. Following his retirement, he moved to Vallejo due to its affordability at the time.
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APRIL 11, 1923
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LOUISE FOLLETT
Secret to longevity: be active and always willing to try new things
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reativity has always been a part of life for Louise, having her illustrations published in medical textbooks during her time at Johns Hopkins University, Stanford University, and the University of Minnesota. She was also co-founder of MeasureMatic Inc, a manufacturer and salesperson of specialty rulers and ironing boards that she co-founded with her inventor
husband, Earl Follett. Before coming to Solano County to be with her family, Louise piloted a small aircraft across the country, which she considers to be her most memorable experience. Now that she’s settled down, she still enjoys creating, but now through quilting and needle art and spending time with her granddaughters and great grandchildren. Unable to rest, Louise worked as a food product demonstrator
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for Costco until she was 96 and remains active in her local church. Secret to longevity: “Who knows, don’t do stupid things like smoke and drink alcohol, have a good appetite and eating healthy foods, be active and always willing to try new things.”
APRIL, 24, 1922
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IVARN FOULK
varn Foulk was born in Fall City, Nebraska.
Much like many that lived through the great depression, her family had little money, but they made the most of what they had, which had Ivarn learn to play the guitar to pass the time and entertain her family. With the men overseas during World War II, Ivarn found employment at the Richmond shipyard and while the end of the war was a big day for her, it also meant that Ivarn would quickly lose her job when the soldiers came back home. Ivarn
used this opportunity to pivot and become a beautician, a career path that she followed for life and excelled in. In 1985, Ivarn moved from Napa to Vacaville to be closer to family and indulge in her hobby of gardening and serenading her family with the same songs she sang to her parents growing up. Unfortunately, she suffers from dementia and doesn’t remember much of her life. If she could, she would still be gardening, surrounded by her family and going to church.
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MAY 29, 1917
MARIA LUZ TOBIAS GALANG
aria was born in Pampanga, Philippines, and moved to the US in
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Loves to dance; graduated from Brazilian dancing school and choreographed moves for her grandchildren’s’ school dances.
Married Fernando Galang Sr. in 1938; had 5 children, 18 grandchildren and several great grandchildren.
Secret to longevity: Coffee, fruits, and vegetables; keep one’s sense of humor; appreciate life and the little things
1933.
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She was an avid gardener and caretaker of her family’s property
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NOVEMBER 5, 1921
During World War II, Gonge flew the “hump” in the ChinaBurma-India campaigns with the Army Air Corps Air Transport Command. In September 1946, he was assigned to the 47th Bombardment Group at Lake Charles Army Airfield, Louisiana, and transferred with the 47th Group to Biggs Field, Texas.
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ohn Gonge was born on Nov. 5, 1921, in Ansley, Nebraska. He graduated from Ansley High School in 1938 and became an aviation cadet at the U.S. Army Air Corps Flying School in Lubbock Army Airfield, Texas. He received his pilot wings and a commission as a second lieutenant in December 1943.
JOHN GONGE
General Gonge is a recipient of the Order of the Sword, he was the tenth man to ever receive that honor from the non-commissioned officer corps
bases before being assigned as commander of the 22nd Air Force (MAC) at Travis Air Force Base from August 1972 to August 1975 and became Vice Command of the Military Airlift.
In May 1953, Gonge was assigned to Hickam Air Force Base in Hawaii as special projects officer in the Office of the Deputy Chief of Staff for Operations, Pacific Division. He later became administrative assistant to the commander. Other assignments included Parks Air Force Base in California and Clark Air Base in The Philippines. In July 1969, Gonge returned to TAFB as vice commander of the 60th Military Airlift Wing. He also served at other Air Force
Gonge has more than 13,000 flying hours. His military decorations and awards include the Distinguished Service Medal, Legion of Merit, Distinguished Flying Cross, Meritorious Service Medal, Air Medal, Air Force Commendation Medal with One Oak Leaf Cluster, Army Commendation Medal, and the Distinguished Unit Citation Emblem. Shortly after he retired in 1977, at age 56, he became the general manager at Travis Federal Credit Union, which is now Travis Credit Union. Gonge served as the credit union’s general manager and president until 1994.
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OCTOBER 4, 1917
CHARLOTTE HAHN
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harlotte Hahn is a lifetime resident of Solano County, being born and residing in Vallejo, California. She was a beautician for a short period of time before becoming a housewife and raising her two daughters. Charlotte was active in the Vallejo General Hospital Guild and the PTA of her children’s school.
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AUGUST 26, 1922
Between her first husband that was in the Navy and her career at the expanding telecommunications company Pac Bell, Shirley was always on the move across the country; moving from Chicago to Minnesota, Los Angeles, Downey, Landers, and eventually settling in Vacaville to be with her son.
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hirley Helmich was born and raised in Chicago, IL
SHIRLEY HELMICH
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Secret to longevity: I like my candy bars, my ice cream. The lord has been good to me
part of the interest is she feels it is time spent with her late husband, finally enjoying a shared hobby together.
Shirley worked in the traffic division for AT&T and saw the communications industry change throughout her time with the company as computers became a standard application
Later in life, Shirley was intrigued by a golf course that was by her house and decided to see what the sport that her late husband had been interested in so many years ago. After some lessons, she was hooked and would often be found on the course taking lessons, trying to improve her stroke, or just enjoying time with her expanding group of friends. A
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MARCH 1, 1922
EUNICE HILTON
E
unice Hilton was born in New York City at a young age, declaring that “We are New Yorkers”.
In addition to a career in fashion, she considers herself to be a singer and a dancer, especially tap dancing. After moving to Solano, she still sees herself a New Yorker and feels blessed that she was able to accomplish everything she could.
gowns on the red carpet premiere of the movie Dr. Zhivago. Eunice was introduced to her future husband through their parents, who had brought him over to her house to meet her and after one look decided “This one is mine”. In less than a year, they were married. Her husband was drafted to fight in World War II in communications, who was profiled in a PBS documentary about the first African-American’s in the war.
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Her father was an attorney and eventually assistant attorney general to the White House but it was her grandmother, the fashion designer that she took after. After doing two years of law school and one year in business law, Eunice decided to venture into the business world. Eunice started a fashion salon on East Fifth Third st under the name of Cherise which put her in contact with high profile customers, including having her
Secret to longevity: She’s always well-fed, still eating cakes, candy, and ice cream
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DECEMBER 6, 1923
ANTHONY HARRY “BILL” HORTON
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orn December 6, 1923, in Tavistock, England, he immigrated with his parents, Russell and Katherine Horton, to the United States at the age of 3. The family settled in Michigan, near Detroit, where his father found work with the Ford Motor Company and his mother in a carpet mill. He grew up and
was educated in Detroit, and at the age of 18 became eligible to enlist in the military, as the U.S. had entered the Second World War. He volunteered to enlist in the navy but was rejected due to his immigration status. However, the army needed men and drafted him through a program that granted him U.S. citizenship. He then headed to basic training in Arkansas, ending up on the beaches of Normandy, on June 7, day two of the D-day invasion. (One of his most memorable experiences.)
After the war, he returned home to Michigan where he married the love of his life, Dona, whom he was seeing prior to the war. They enjoyed a loving,
sixty-plus-year marriage, raising 4 children: Penny, Judy, William and Paul. He had a few jobs, one as a florist, before getting work with The Michigan Bell Telephone Company. Starting as a lineman climbing telephone poles and splicing cables, he eventually ended up at the headquarters of Ford installing/maintaining office phone systems, while still being employed by Michigan Bell. After retirement, they moved to Mesa, Arizona in 1984. Although physical limitations no longer allowed him to, Anthony enjoyed photography, camping, swimming, bowling and golfing (once hitting a hole-in-one), listening to music on his stereo HiFi system. Also, an avid sports fan enjoying Tiger games in Detroit and Diamondback baseball games after moving to Arizona.
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JULY 15, 1923
HELEN JACKS
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aised in Vallejo, she and her husband joined the World War II war effort on Mare Island; she ordered submarine parts, and he piloted them! They worked at Mare Island for 35 years, retiring in 1976 and moved to Oroville for 29 years, volunteering at the local hospital. The Jackses spent time as well in Germany, where Helen collected Hummel figurines.
The Jackses started a family, with four sons, two granddaughters, and now three great-grandkids.
After her husband passed away, Helen moved to Benicia where her family lived nearby. She has lived in the Rancho Benicia mobile home for five years, where she joined the Carquinez Village. 32
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SEPTEMBER 3, 1922
PEARL JOE
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Her husband’s family owned a small grocery store, where they lived, and after he was drafted, Pearl took to running the store. They made the tough decision to prioritize their children and sold
One of her greatest memories were road trips
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P
earl Joe was born in Fargo, North Dakota, but her life was split between her time in the U.S. and China, where her family came from.
their grocery store and moved to Los Angles where they could get a better education. One of her greatest memories were road trips, whether it was cross-country or a few blocks to amusement parks. It was the time she spent with her family that was important to her, remarking that life is shaped by your thoughts and to be kind, generous, and thankful.
Pearl spent the first ten years of her life in North Dakota, but after her family had health problems, she moved to China to be with him and help him recover, where she remained for six years. While in China, she remembers having forgotten how to speak English, something she took to remembering. What brought Pearl back to the U.S. was an arranged marriage with a family friend who lived in Mississippi in 1939 at the age of 16. Her new home was a small town, and despite being the only Chinese person, she felt a sense of community, the perfect place to raise her five children.
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DECEMBER 24, 1921
ANGELINA “ANGIE” COLLA KING
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Secret to longevity: not smoking or drinking, and visiting with friends
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lifetime resident of Solano County, Angelina was born near Cordelia, and raised in Suisun City. Angelina attended Armijo High School, where she made a name for herself in sports by being
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voted “most outstanding (female) athlete. For 18 years, Angelina worked as the secretary to the superintendent at the California Medical Facility in Vacaville.
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Angelina still remains social with her games of bridge, luncheons with friends, and visiting family. Her secret to longevity is attributed to not smoking or drinking, visiting with friends, eating vegetables, chocolate and delicious black licorice.
JANUARY 19, 1921
JOHN KNEBEL
John had three careers throughout his life, all in aviation. John’s father flew in the Army Signal Corps during World War I, which inspired him to become a pilot. John W. Knebel received his commercial pilot’s license at age 19. He earned a B.A. degree in meteorology at San Diego State University in 1954. He graduated from the U.S. Navy Test Pilot School in 1957 and carrier qualified aboard the Navy carrier USS Saipan, also in 1957. John eventually retired from the U.S. Airforce as a Lt. Colonel with 21 years of service. John then flew 15 years as an engineering test pilot for Convair in San Diego; he retired in 1965
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1955, in a CV-R3Y Tradewind (8 engine flying boat). John retired as Jet Airline Captain in 1981 at age 60 after 15 years with Trans International Airlines as airline captains at that time, and was forced by the FAA to retire at the age of 60 years old.
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ohn W. Knebel was born in a farmhouse in Southern Illinois, raised on a grain and dairy farm driving tractors and farm trucks from the age of 10 years old.
as Chief Engineering Test Pilot. Flew experimental test flights on CV 240/340/440 and CV-XFY-l and VTOL “Pogo Stick” and F-102 and STOL “Charger” and PBY and R3Y Flying Boat programs. Don Germer and Knebel hold the transcontinental speed record of 6 hours for seaplanes set on Feb. 24,
Secret to longevity: Don’t take work home with you
John and his wife Marie lived in Bel Marin Keys for 50 years, before moving to Fairfield, Paradise Valley Estates in 2018. Together they had 4 children, 8 grandchildren and 5 great-grandchildren. Some of John’s favorite hobbies throughout his life were building his own sports car and water sports. He now enjoys bocce ball. John’s most memorable moment was his first flight testing of the conniver XFY-1 VTOL Navy Fighter- The first successful highperformance VTOL ever built.
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APRIL 8, 1922
ROBERT KUZNIK
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obert Kuznik was born in Springfield, Illinois to immigrants from Yugoslavia and one of 13 children.
telegraph messenger, delivering messages from the illinois statehouse for state employees.
From a young age, Robert was a driven child, having a paper route around his neighborhood. With the extra income, Robert purchased a 1932 chevrolet against his parents’ wishes, resulting in his first set of wheels at a friend’s house down the street until eventually convincing them to let him keep it at the age of 18.
Robert’s first date with his future wife was with her and her sister as they ventured to a casino in the small town of Taylorsville; that’s where they met and would spend as much time communicating.
The newspaper delivery route transitioned into working as a 36
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With his future wife working as a registered nurse at a hospital run by nuns, they had an interesting means of communicating, with Robert tying items to a rope for her or finding a spare moment alone and talking through open windows. After completing her work training, as a reward, the two got married in 1946. After working as a messenger for years, Robert transitioned to working for a truck and tractor company where he started to grow a family, welcoming his first son. As the family expanded, they moved to California in 1952.
JULY 27, 1921
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CAROLINE LOW
aroline Joe Low was born on July 27, 1921, near Vorden on the Sacramento Delta. During WWII, she worked for the Ordnance Department in San Francisco in 1943. Caroline married Henry Low on March 2, 1947, and they lived in Suisun Valley until 1985 before moving to Fairfield. Together they have 4 children, 5 grandchildren, and 4 great grandchildren.
Secret to longevity: a happy spirit
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Caroline has been very active
in her retirement and engaged in many activities which include Wednesday Club, Northbay Hospital Guide, Chinese Community Club. During her life, she has enjoyed traveling, picnics, cooking, projects, and most importantly spending time with family.
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JANUARY 3, 1922
VIRGINIA MANGABAT
V
irginia Mangabat was born in Ramos, Tarlac, in the Philippines.
Her husband, Conrado, got work at the Mare Island Naval Base while Virginia and their daughter stayed in the Philippines until they both immigrated to reunite their family. She found work as a seamstress in Napa until the age of 70 when she retired, prioritizing her family by helping to raise her grandchildren in Vallejo. Aside from her family, Virginia loves to tend to her garden, planting different flowers such as orchids, roses, and dahlias as well as going on cruises and traveling to Singapore.
Secret to longevity: Praying, gardening, and being happy
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JUNE 17, 1920
TSUYAKO “GRACE" MIYAGISHIMA Tsuyako’s most memorable experience in life was being sent to a Japanese concentration camp in Gila Arizona, when WWII started, nowadays she enjoys being at home with her husband and watching tv.
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Secret to longevity: Living life at Paradise Valley Estates Retirement Community
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race Miyagishima was born in Lompoc, CA. She moved to San Francisco following World War II, where she met her now husband of 71 years Teuro “Ted”. They married in 1949, and moved to Tokyo. Grace worked as an Army Civilian employee, and then had their son James in 1953, After her husband retired from the Military they returned to California and settled in San Jose, before moving to Fairfield.
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NOVEMBER 22, 1922
DOÑA CECILIA NÚÑEZ
D
ona Cecy was born in Chihuahua, Mexico, but her family moved to Richmond, California when she was just a year old.
twenties in the city of Berkeley, where she remained for 35 years, only retiring to help take care of her mother. Despite having not married or having had any children, she still considers herself to have a large family with the people she’s met along her life, going out for breakfast and lunch with her family of friends; still helping her newfound family to cook when she can. Secret to longevity: She believes she has lived a long life because she never worked physically strenuous jobs and was able to retire at 55. She supposed that never marrying or having children may have contributed to her longevity.
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Dona got a job at the State Farm Insurance company in her 40
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Secret to longevity: being able to retire at 55
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Helping her mother and sister cook the family dinners is one of her earliest memories as family was always an important part of Dona’s life. She often reminisces of the days when she and her sister, Lupe, would walk and shop in Union Square of San Francisco in the 1940s.
DECEMBER 24, 1921
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VIRGINIA “RUTH” PLUNKETT
Has ten grandchildren and 11 great grandchildren
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irginia was born in Auburn, CA before her family moved to Lincoln, CA where she spent her childhood and early adult years.
After meeting her future husband, James B. Plunkett, the two were married on September 22, 1945, and welcomed three sons shortly after. Family has remained an important aspect of Virginia’s life as she has ten grandchildren and 11 great grandchildren that she has had the pleasure of watching them grow. In her free time, Virginia enjoys being involved with church, tending to her garden, and spending time baking for her friends and family.
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OCTOBER 9, 1922
B
lanche Richardson was born in Olympia, Washington and raised in Tillicum, Washington. Blanche had met her husband, Floyd, at a young age and the only time that they were apart was during the three years that Floyd was called in to help protect his country during World War II. While Floyd was overseas, Blanche kept the family together and herself occupied by working as a
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BLANCHE RICHARDSON
Stay away from alcohol and smoking, living a clean a life as you can
store clerk for a local business. Her favorite memories are giving birth to her two daughters, Joan and Janet, and the days the family spent on their fishing boat as they loved to fish and Blanche
had always wanted to have a family, so making memories together was a priority for her. After the loss of Floyd, her daughter suggested that Blanche move to Vacaville to be closer to her family.
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AUGUST 17, 1920
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Some of her memorable experiences in life have been graduating college, getting married, the birth of her twins.
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C
harlotte Stack was born in Hayward CA and raised in Puyallup Washington. She married Gerald Edward Stack, they had two children Kathrine, and Gary.
CHARLOTTE STACK
Love people who help, she is blessed that her life is good along with god and prayers kept her going through hard times and trouble
Charlotte has enjoyed traveling throughout life and has been on 31 cruises. She enjoys reading and quilting. Now she enjoys visiting friends, children, reading, and calling friends.
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FEBRUARY 2, 1923
ELIZABETH TATE
She attended public schools there, graduating from McDonogh 35 High School, where the principal was Lucien Alexis, a Harvard graduate. He could not find a job with his Ivy League degree so he shared his scholarship, discipline and scientific theories with his students. Tate graduated in 1940 at age 17, when war was approaching and the first peacetime military draft in U.S. history was approved. With her father’s blessing, Tate responded to a National Youth Administration newspaper ad. The NYA was part of the Works Progress Administration, one of Roosevelt’s New Deal agencies created in the 1930s during the
Great Depression. It included a Division of Negro Affairs headed by Mary McLeod Bethune, who later founded Bethune-Cookman College in Florida and the National Council of Negro Women. Bethune also befriended first lady Eleanor Roosevelt.
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Secret to longevity: I’m a person who thinks positively
As part of the NYA, Tate traveled to Washington State, where she learned to operate a lathe. Later, with a valuable skill on her resume, she moved to Richmond, where her oldest sister lived, but didn’t like the East Bay town. So she moved to San Francisco, where she landed a good-paying job making bolts for the war effort at the Hunter’s Point Naval Shipyard. After the war, she worked for more than two decades at J.C. Penney, the first Black woman in management at the Daly City store, retiring at age 60. Tate married Webster Rosboro
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and together they raised Rella and Webster Jr., but the elder Rosboro died in December 1970. Tate remarried in 1975 to James Tate, a retired airman, and settled in Solano County. He died in July 2020 but not before receiving recognition from Rep. John
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E
lizabeth Fisher Tate was born in Plaquemines Parish, Louisiana. Immediately after her birth, her family moved to New Orleans, living in the Ninth Ward, in the easternmost part of the city.
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Garamendi for his many years of military service. Her secret to longevity is “I’m a person who thinks positively. I love everybody. I don’t have time for picking and choosing stuff. I have God in my life.”
DECEMBER 24, 1920
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GUADALUPE VIDALES
uadalupe Vidales was born in Guanajuato, Mexico.
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Growing up, Guadalupe was surrounded by the creative support of those around her. Her house included a carpentry workshop where she would watch her father work. While in school, her teacher encouraged her to explore the arts, especially clay and stone pottery, an interest that she took home with her.
married on October 14, 1954 and eventually had three children: Patricia, David, and Robert.
Supporting people can be done just by being involved
After graduating from high school, Guadalupe chose to not attend college due to a requirement to serve in the military; instead, she continued her creative passion and opened a clothing store in Mexico, a choice that she has said she would repeat without question as she considered it one of the best decisions of her life.
After her children had grown up, Guadalupe retired from her store and moved to America, becoming a citizen in 1979. Since retirement, she has embraced her novellas and cooking for her children and grandchildren. When she gets a chance, Guadalupe loves to go back to her hometown and reflect back on all that she’s accomplished with her family. She can always be found looking for objects and gifts to give to strangers or to donate to someone in need, as she believes that supporting people can be done just by being involved.
While looking for clothes to buy for her store, Guadalupe met Senobio, the love of her life and future husband. They were CENTENARIAN COMMEMORATION 2023
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JUNE 9, 1921
XANTHIA WARREN
X
anthia Warren grew up in Missouri and graduated in 1938 as class valedictorian. She received a bachelor’s degree in 1942, a master’s degree in 1991 and would later become an educator for 32 years in Solano County.
Xanthia and James raised three sons, James, Stewart and Dwayne.
A brave woman, she flew with her husband, who got his private pilot’s license when he was 87.
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Her fondest memory was attending President Barack Obama’s inaugural parade with her husband, which honored Tuskegee Airmen
Her teaching career also flourished, spending nearly 28 years at Ulatis Elementary School in Vacaville. Xanthia also enjoyed being involved in the community for 40 years. She has been a member of Delta Sigma Theta Sorority, Inc. for 81 years and is a charter member of the local chapter, Solano Valley.
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During a stint in Chicago in World War II, Xanthia met her husband Air Force Lt. Colonel James Warren, one of the original Tuskegee Airmen while working for the Treasury Department. They married in 1950 and two years later he was recalled to active duty. They would spend time on bases in Washington, Germany, Oklahoma and at Travis Air Force Base in Fairfield and she would return to teaching.
She is also a member of Delta Kappa Gamma Society, an international organization of women teachers; the Retired Teachers Association; American Association of University Women; Bethany Lutheran Church; and the Lee A. Archer Chapter of the Tuskegee Airmen.
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MARCH 1923
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favorite pastime, with ventures to landmarks such as the Fjords but her most memorable trip was the flight on the Condorde Passenger Jet from Sacramento to Paris.
Toronado every Friday, rain or shine, to get her hair done in downtown Dixon. She doesn’t drive now but caretaker Elvia Chavez gets her there without fail.
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M
ary Weyand worked at the Basic Vegetable Products plant in Vacaville for 52 years, a job that she loved and would proudly tell of having the key to the front gates.
MARY WEYAND
Be sure to be truthful. Don’t give anybody a bum steer
Traveling with her husband, Ernie, to see the world was a
Up until her nineties, Mary drove her classic 1966 Oldsmobile
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NOVEMBER 1, 1923
MARGARET WHITE
M
argaret E. White was born in Madeira, California. She moved from Murphys to Vacaville in 2021 to live closer to family. She has 2 sons, 2 daughters-in-law, 1 daughter and son-in-law, 3 grandsons, 1 granddaughter, and 3 great grandchildren. She has nieces and nephews too. Her eldest son passed away in 2011. Her first husband passed away in 2000. She married again in 2006 and her husband passed away in 2018. enjoys
reading, writing, gardening, music, and has a new interest in puzzles and games on her iPad. Margaret was active in the church choir in Murphys. She writes letters and cards to friends and loves to receive them too. She is a veteran, having served as a WAVE during World War ll. She was a wife and mother and worked outside the
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home as a secretary and teacher’s aide. She graduated from Fresno State and that’s where she met her husband. Margaret always loved to travel and cruise and still enjoys getaway trips in California. Her secret to longevity is to be happy, try to be healthy, help others and love life.
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Margaret
Secret to longevity: To be happy, try to be healthy, help others and love life.
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AUGUST 23, 1921
LEONA YOUNG Joe served in World War II and the Korean War and had several assignments over the course of 22 years, which brought him and Leona all over the world.
One of the most exciting assignments for Leona was when her husband was stationed in Germany.
In addition to her eight children, Leona also has 24 grandchildren, 41 great-grandchildren and 13 great-great grandchildren.
“We spent three years in Germany,” she said. “I had a daughter born over there.”
Leona credits three things to her longevity. One is the fact that she does not smoke or drink. The second is that she has three daughters nearby who take care of her. Finally, there is her spirituality. “The secret of living a long life is that I know I have a savior, Jesus Christ,” she said. “He’s with me every minute.”
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L
eona Young was born Leona Hargus on Aug. 25, 1921, in Indiana, and she said she remains a proud Hoosier. She lived in the state until she was 19, when she eloped with the love of her life, Joe, whom she wed on May 2, 1940. He was a second lieutenant in the Army and became stationed at what was later known as WrightPatterson Air Force Base in Ohio.
Along the way, they had eight children: Ralph, Mary, Dave, Gary, Herbert, Sharon, George and Alice.
In 1964, the Youngs moved to Vallejo, where Joe worked as a teacher at Springstown Junior High School for 12 years. All the while, Leona remained busy donating her time to various endeavors, including PTA meetings and volunteering for local Boy and Girl Scout troops.
I don’t feel like I’m 100, I feel more like I might be 80
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IN REMEMBRANCE
Your life was a blessing, your memory a treasure, you are loved beyond words and missed beyond measure
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RICHARD BETCHLEY
MARJORIE BORS
IRENE BRUCE
EARL CHINNOCK
ROSITA LOMBOY CRUZ
LAVONNE EYRES
MARGARET KOEHLER
AGNES LYON
WARREN MACQUARRIE
WALTER MCDANIEL
IRIS MOORE
MARY ALICE ROWE
MANUEL SILVA
BRUCE SOOY
JULIETTE THOMAS
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