Honoring the lives of residents of Solano County who have reached the age of 100
Ellen Lipp Afton H vey B enice Sullivan Ch les P so John Knebel Naz io Orpilla
Delsie Dill Eva Hoekman Sylvia Sh p Cath ine Schneid Dorothy Davin Anthony
Tillen Olivia Tribo Mil ed Goossen Janet Wilh t Cla Hinze Guadalupe Vidales Elizabeth
Rinfret M g et White Rich d Brann Joe P isi Mediline Mason Anastacio De Leon
Jackson Val ie Haycock Lois Fitzg ald Lois B tley Arth Smith Hitoe Shimada Val
cela Hisola G ta C sch V ginia Mangabat P le Williams Alfonzo Ro iguez Seymo
men Arvanitakis M g et Koehl Ernest And son Lupe B umen Ernestina Fiorentini
Jones Lora Smith Lois Dittm John Gonge Juanita Cas o G cia Evelyn Ewing Joseph
Lyon F ril Mulock Rachel Brautigan Lucy Higgs Emma Lee Woodson Bessie Edw ds
Valentin Freddie Wilson-Newborn Lenora Willson Simona Salas Rosalind F aday Rita G
Blackb n Ruth M cacci Walt C roll Edna Elliott V na Salsman Luis Cas o Gladys
Dittm M y Tet s Fred Tyl Lois-Evelyn Peais M ie De Laney Angie King Leona
Ollie Wallin Crisanto Bel an Betty Simpson Julia Rico Eugene Pet son Gene Bow
Frances Trujillo Amalia Godinez
Philomae Dixon Cleo Jones B nice Book Alfred Franceshi
John T k Eileen George-Traynor Walt McDaniel Lanelle Matthews P cy Klimisch Tillie
Rose Wettstein Helen Gaddy Peggy Bassford Byrd M ia Mattos Du te LaVonne Eyres
Cecilia Nunez Iv n Foulk Hyth Butts Eddie M tinez Dorothy Hines Grace Pet son
Morgan M y Toriello Mae Lofgren Hazel Coppock Betta Watson M ia Machado T
Chinnock Stella Hen ickson Ch les Gilb t Lilia Abastillas Hughlon Moak Lena Yolo
Ivy Brittan Bill Ahl
Melba Lofgren M ray Schacht Esth Krum C men Tomas
Horton Cyril O’Neil H old Hall E atee Drap Bruce Sooy Jose Reyes V ginia
Elizabeth Tate Ada Dito Theodore M tz Phyllis Craig Grace Miyagashima M ian
Dorothy Soto Vivien Bean M ian Coles Lav ne Thompson V ginia Mangabat Dorothy
Val ie Rowden John Gonge
oline Low
Seymo M cuse Erma Allen
Slavka Scott Ann Stamps William And son H ch an Singh Ed Case Ethel
Joseph Piazza Anna Cong Mil ed Pezzaglia H ry V beek M ge Bors Agnes
Helen Devlin La eana Palu o Agnes Bonds Oakley Dext Elena Bautista Dometila
evas Hazel Booh Irene Bruce Lois Monez Eddie Crummie Rich d M sch Rose
Gladys Helm Stephen Shanahan M ie West Anita P k Ursula Malloch Rob t
Myra Kepling M g et White Viola Josey Cla e Mill
Stella Roybal Philip Yaggy
Rob t Daine
Guill mo Velasco Ric do Montalvan V ginia Noordyk
Franceshi M ia Tobias Galang Delois Brash Leona Elledge Lilia Rhodes M vel Brew
Tillie Loya Ed Dillion Eleanor M shall H ry C sch M ia Tavani Sh ley Helmich
G ald Simoni Jessie Payne M ia Galang Tillie Golden M gu ite Messeng Dona
Co olacion Asuncion Ch lotte Hahn Ch ley Callaway Jr Basilisa Ilog Gwendolyn
uo Miyagishima Eunice Root Xanthia W renv M ie Westcot M ian W n E l
A SOLANO COUNTY BOARD OF SUPERVISORS CELEBRATION
Pet Caggiano Lupe Ramos M y Louise Rhemus Rich d Betchley Nav re M shall
C
Lilia ABASTILLAS
Irene ACUNA
Farideh AMIRKHIZI
Lois BARTLEY
Leona BURNS
Peggy BASSFORD BYRD
Emerita CALIZ
Marian COLES
Caroline LOW
Eugene LYONS
Virginia MANGABAT
Lanelle MATTHEWS
Helen Louise MELVIN
Tsuyako MIYAGASHIMA
Dona Cecilia NUNEZ
Jessie PAYNE
Anna CONGER
Helen DEVLIN
Oakley DEXTER
Eugene PETERSON
Virginia PLUNKETT
Helen RODDEN
Adelina DIAZ
Charlie DOHS
Maria DUARTE
John GONGE
Elena HAMPTON
Helen HATCHER
Shirley HELMICH
Dorothy HERGER
Eunice HILTON
Helen JACKS
Pearl JOE
Stephen SHANAHAN
Alma SPRATT
Charlotte STACK
Elizabeth TATE
Maria TAVENIER
Gloria TOWNSEND
Mildred VELKY
Guadalupe VIDALES
Margaret WHITE
Emma Lee WOODSON
Leona YOUNG
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
a Cent y ...in the making
Whether you worked on a farm, were a homemaker, or fought the good ght, each and every one of us has a story to tell, it is just a matter of being ready to listen.
For our 2024 Centenarians, we have the ability to hear the stories from those who have lived for a century.
ere are stories of joining the war e ort 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. ese are your Centenarians
of Solano County
Board of Supervisors Board of Supervisors
e Solano County Board of Supervisors is honored to share its 18th annual Centenarian Commemoration with you.
is yearbook is a tribute to this county’s oldest living residents. e 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.
ese 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 o er a platform for their voices. is 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 re ect on everything that our oldest living residents have provided to us.
Abastillas Lilia Queneri
Lilia was born in Sariaya, Quezon in the Philippines.
She has four children, Nelson, Lilian, Dante, and Raquel with most of her family currently residing in Solano
When she's not spending time with her extended family, Lilia plays to play the piano, sing, and read the bible.
Lilia says her most memorable experiences are getting to watch her grandchildren grow up, getting married, and then seeing her great grandchildren grow up.
Her secret to longevity is being a spiritual woman, a milk drinker, cheese eater, and a music lover. She knows how to entertain herself and relieve stress by playing the piano and singing
Solano County Board of Supervisors
Acuna Irene Gustafson
Irene was born in South Dakota where she still remembers attending a one-room school, but her family moved to Oregon in 1933.
In 1953, a er her son Jerry was kidnapped, she tracked him down to California and was eventually the one that found him! She would shortly move Santa Barabara a er his rescue
Irene helped the war e ort by working as a Rosie the Riveter in Richmond, California then transitioned her technical skills to be a telephone operator and an x-ray technician before retirement.
Even a er retirement, Irene stayed active despite limited mobility. She traveled to the Holy Land in the 1970’s, but also has enjoyed making greeting cards, playing a rousing game of bingo, and attending church.
Her secret to longevity is she never had a car. She walked everywhere until she was 93. She recommends doing everything in moderation, laughing to excess, and praying without ceasing and resting in the promise of her lord and savior Jesus Christ.
Amirkhizi Farideh
Farideh Amirkhizi was born Jan 15, 1921, in Tabriz Iran. A er 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.
Farideh was an artist, not only could she draw, but she was also an expert seamstress, and did embroiderie on dresses, belts, and even shoes, which were talked about wherever she went.
Farideh enjoyed working outside taking care of the garden. She had a green thumb and could tell you everything about plants and trees. She enjoyed cooking and traveling whenever she could. Around 2011 she started to su er from memory loss which gradually got worse. In 2015 her husband passed, and she moved to Vacaville to a memory care facility.
A er a couple of years, she su ered from a hip injury impacting her mobility and is now residing at Fair eld Post-Acute. Farideh has 8 grandchildren and 5 greatgrandchildren. She loves animals, especially cats, cookies, and hot tea, which her son brings to her every week when he visits.
Secret to longevity: perhaps her love for tea
Solano County Board of Supervisors
Bassford Byrd Peggy
Peggy was born and raised in Vacaville, CA to a farming family where she was the youngest of four children.
Growing up on the farm with a large family, she would always have people to play with and they would nd new ways of occupying their time a er school ranging from biking to a nearby pool, playing kick the can, to swinging on the grapevines; even though they would convince her cousin to go rst to test for stability.
While in school, Peggy would help out at the farm by picking cherries and plums before working as a candy striper at Travis Air Force Base to help the returning soldiers. Graduating during World War II meant going to work, "there was too much to do and not enough people to do it" so she took a job at the Benicia Arsenal.
Peggy met her rst husband while working at the Benicia Arsenal; he was a working under a commanding o cer and while the marriage to him wouldn't last long, she was blessed with two children: Sandy and Lynn. She would remarry when her daughters were in high school but that too was short-lived
A er the war had ended, Peggy took a job as a bankerteller slowly working her way up to being a loan o cers where she stayed until her retirement a er y years. Peggy still lives on the same farm that she was born in and while she would occasionally move away, she would always nd her way back home in a few months.
Her secret to longevity is she did what she wanted to do, claiming "I was my own boss"
Burns Leona
Leona was born in Oakland, California and eventually began working at the Alameda Naval Air Station where she would eventually meet her husband, Roy. Later, she worked for Rockwell as a secretary/typist
Her high school girls group called the EN girls, has remained a vital part of Lee's life, a group that met every month for lunch for years, and the remaining three still get together for luncheons and their daughters join them. ey have li ed each other up all these years.
Leona and her husband Roy were married for 71 years. ey would make memories traveling across the United States and even to other countries; occasionally stopping to visit with relatives or getting to welcome them to her house.
rough the years, her hobbies included knitting, crocheting, and sewing. She was engaged with her children’s Blue Birds and Girl Scout projects and many
children’s activities. She did extensive traveling in and outside of the U.S., has square danced in many countries. As members of the SIRS organization with her husband they also traveled with that group and did many activities and outreach with them. She also enjoyed playing cards, board games and visits with relatives.
Lee enjoys playing Phase 10 cards, going to concerts at the Lodge residence, going on day trips to the ocean, Napa wine country drives, visiting grandchildren and attending their sports activities. She enjoys dining out and her friends from high school as well as going to the Benicia waterfront to picnic and enjoy watching the boats, ships, and children on the beach.
Her daughter doesn't imagine that there's any speci c "secret" to longevity but attributes it to her connection with family, engaging with the community through games and performances, and staying active
Solano County Board of
Coles Marian
Marian 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 o as the folder of the papers but eventually became a typesetter as a teenager.
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. e move would be fortuitous as Marian would meet her future husband, Gordon, shortly a er moving. ough he was originally interested in her older sister, Marian would eventually catch his eye.
With the war in full swing, Gordon joined the United
States Marine Corps and then the Army Air Corps, which Marian joined him as they moved from base to base. ey traveled to North Carolina, Maryland, Kansas, and eventually Germany. By this point in their lives, they had their rst son who graduated High School while they were stationed in Germany.
Her most memorable experiences were ying in a small airplane as a teenager, living in Germany, skiing the Swiss Alps, and traveling all over Europe and the US.
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 ying and traveling the country as the explorer that she was as a child.
Conger Anna
Anna was born on a small farm in Doka, Indiana in 1922.
Growing up on a farm with her older sister a orded a sense of closeness as the two would spend their a ernoons picking strawberries, milking the cows and taking care of chickens. Due to nancial issues, her father was not able to nish 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.
A er traveling to California with her husband and two young children, Anna learned that she could be
a teacher; teaching rst graders with the same love of education that her parents had given her.
As Anna and her husband welcomed their third child, they began taking trips, not by car but by planes that they ew themselves. Anna’s husband loved to y a er he le the military and Anna, despite initial reservations, took to ying as well. With their newfound sense of freedom, they traveled to Alaska, New York, and across California.
In addition to ying, Anna loved to ski down blue diamond slopes, which would become an annual tradition with her family as her photo albums lled up with pictures of her family on the slopes
Solano County Board
Devlin Helen
Helen was born and raised in Wisconsin. She came to California during World War II, who, along with her sister, Marlene, helped in the war e ort by transporting soldiers via bus from San Francisco’s Treasure Island and other regional bases.
Helen and her husband remember being in California at war’s end. ey lived in Marin County until moving to the Redding area and eventually settled in Solano County in 2014 where she helped to organize 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 Bay Area.
Although she had no children of her own, she had several nieces and nephews she loved. Her family in Solano County includes her niece, Colleen, greatnephew, Jason, great-niece Ti any, as well as her children, Syndey and Sean.
Helen enjoys playing bingo at Cornerstone Assisted Living Facility.
Secret to longevity: to take each day as it comes
Dexter Oakley
Oakley, 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 family along. A er high school, Oakley attempted to enlist in the United States Air Force as an aviation cadet but was denied due to being enrolled in college, being told to nish his classes then try again. He later dropped out of college and was accepted.
While in training in radar classes, Oakley was given a two-week furlough, where he went to visit his ancé back in Washington D.C. and promptly married her.
Oakley’s military career saw him focus on communications 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 a er the war. Once discharged, Oakley moved back to Washington D.C. to be with his
wife where he took a job installing and repairing auto radios, then installing organs, televisions, and glass displays.
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 oor. He managed his business until the 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.
A er retirement, Oakley became a volunteer re ghter and was a teacher at the local Sunday school service, as he wanted to continue to help people anyway he could.
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.
Solano County Board of Supervisors
Diaz Adelina
Adelina was born in the Philippines, where she helped to share her knowledge with the younger generation as a grade schoolteacher.
While boarding a ight to Kona, Hawaii for a family reunion to celebrate her 100th birthday, a ight attendant learned that it was Adelina’s milestone. Over the intercom, the ight sta lead everyone on board in singing for happy birthday. When she stepped o the plane, Adelina was serenaded by ve Hawaiians with
their ukeleles. is 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.
Dohs Charlie
Charles was born in Westwood, California.
During World War II, Charles was a member of the US Navy, stationed on the USS South Dakota as an aviation machinist
As a machinist in the Navy, Charles found he liked to build using his hands so now that he's retired, he continues to build but on a much smaller scale with model airplanes and doll houses while also enjoying cross stitching, and woodworking.
where he got to explore the world such as Guadalcanal, the Santa Cruz Islands, and Iwojima.
A er the war, Charles used the money he had earned to start a tire retreat shop in Martinez and then started a roof truss shop in Grass Valley, and a lumber company in Yuba City.
Charles says that his most memorable experience was getting to y a twin engine airplane and meeting the love of his life Teresa
His secret to longevity is staying busy as much as possible.
Solano County Board of Supervisors
Duarte Maria
Maria was born in Portugal but moved to the US alongside her husband, John Duarte. Together, they have their son, John; daughter-in-law, Gloria; and two grandsons, Anthony and Manuel, all of who's births are memorable experiences
During her life, Maria has worked as a businesswoman as well as a housewife.
Her secret to longevity is good food and hard work
Gonge John
John 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 Air eld, Texas. He received his pilot wings and a commission as a second lieutenant in December 1943.
During World War II, Gonge ew the “hump” in the China-Burma-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 Air eld, Louisiana, and transferred with the 47th Group to Biggs Field, Texas.
In May 1953, Gonge was assigned to Hickam Air Force Base in Hawaii as special projects o cer in the O ce of the Deputy Chief of Sta for Operations, Paci c Division. He later became administrative assistant to the commander. Other assignments included Parks Air Force Base in California and Clark Air Base in e Philippines.
In July 1969, Gonge returned to TAFB as vice commander of the 60th Military Airli Wing. He also served at other Air Force 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 Airli .
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 o cer corps.
Gonge has more than 13,000 ying 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 a er 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.
Solano County Board of Supervisors
Helmich Shirley
Shirley Helmich was born and raised in Chicago, IL.
Between her rst 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.
Shirley worked in the tra c 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. A er some lessons, she was hooked and would o en be found on the course taking lessons, trying to improve her stroke, or just enjoying time with her expanding group of friends. A part of the interest is she feels it is time spent with her late husband, nally enjoying a shared hobby together.
Secret to longevity: I like my candy bars, my ice cream. e lord has been good to me
Herger Dorothy Ann
Dorothy was born in San Francisco but at the age of two, her father took a job at Mare Island where they stayed until his retirement.
Art has always been a vital part of Dorothy's life, something that she helped to share with people as an art teacher at Solano Community College, but she traveled the world to see the major works of art across the world. Alongside her travels for art, she took trips to the high north artic of antarctica. ough despite all of what she's
seen, it was seeing her Paul Bunyan mural on display at the John F. Kennedy Library that has been one of her most memorable experiences
Her secret to longevity is attributed to inheriting Swiss genes, a nutritious diet, exercise, having amazing female mentors, as well as teaching and making art which led her to having wonderful students. Additionally, she attributes her longevity to living in Vallejo since 1926: “ e town of opportunity.”
Hilton Eunice
Eunice Hilton was born in New York City at a young age, declaring that “We are New Yorkers”.
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 a er. A er 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 under the name of Charrisse which put her in contact with high pro le customers, including having her gowns on the redcarpet 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 a er one look decided “ is one is mine”. In less than a year, they were married. Her husband was dra ed to ght in World War II. He specialized in communications and was pro led in a PBS documentary about the rst African-American’s in the war.
In addition to a career in fashion, she considers herself to be a singer and a dancer, especially tap dancing. A er moving to Solano, she still sees herself as a New Yorker and feels blessed that she was able to accomplish everything she could.
Secret to longevity: She’s always well-fed, still eating cakes, candy, and ice cream
Jacks Helen
Raised in Vallejo, she and her husband joined the World War II war e ort on Mare Island; she ordered submarine parts, and he piloted them! ey worked at Mare Island for 35 years, retiring in 1976 and moved to Oroville where they lived for 29 years, volunteering at the local hospital. e Jackses spent time as well in Germany, where Helen collected Hummel gurines.
A er her husband passed away, Helen moved to Benicia where her family lived nearby. She has lived in the Rancho Benicia mobile home for ve years, where she joined the Carquinez Village.
e Jackses started a family, with four sons, two granddaughters,
Solano County Board
Joe Pearl
Pearl 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.
Pearl spent the rst ten years of her life in North Dakota, but a er her family in China had health problems, she moved to there to be with them and help them 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. is was 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 ve children.
Her husband’s family owned a small grocery store, where they lived, and a er he was dra ed, Pearl took to running the store. ey made the tough decision to prioritize their children and sold 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.
Low Caroline
Caroline 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 Fair eld. Together they have 4 children, 5 grandchildren, and 4 great grandchildren.
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, doing projects, and most importantly spending time with family.
Secret to longevity: a happy spirit
Lyons Eugene
Eugene served in World War II before transferring to Travis Air Force Base and retired with the rank of Chief Master Sergeant. A er retirement, Eugene transitioned to working for the United States Post O ce as a Window Clerk for another 16 years before o cially stepping back and retiring and enjoying some time for himself.
In between serving the country, Eugene would travel and go to musicals and musical events. Music has remained an important part of Eugene's life to this day, still listening and singing to musical icons such as Nat King Cole, Frank Sinatra, Tony Bennett, Ella Fitzgerald, Lou Rawls, Diana Krall, and more. Music he likes
includes gospel, crooners, big band, show tunes, classical, R&B and yes, even more. When he's not crooning to the people around him, Eugene is watching TV with family, remembering days gone by, laughing with family and friends, looking at the hills in Vacaville, and getting a haircut at TAFB barbershop.
Two memories are as vivid as ever, one being his ship, the SS Cape San Juan was torpedoed on November 11, 1943, and the other the day he married his wife, Laura Grace Green, on July 15, 1957.
His secret to longevity is simple: Prayer
Mangabat Virginia
Virginia Mangabat was born in Ramos, Tarlac, in the Philippines.
Her husband, Conrado, got work at the Mare Island Naval Shipyard 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 di erent owers such as orchids, roses, and dahlias as well as going on cruises and traveling to Singapore.
Secret to longevity: Praying, gardening, and being happy
Solano County Board
Matthews Lanelle “Corky”
Lanelle was born in urber, Texas before moving to Solano County for the rst time in 1945 when husband Jerry was transferred to the Army-Air Base for two years. ey later returned in 1958 when the Air Force transferred them back to the renamed Travis Air Force Base. is would prove to be their last relocation, as they remained in Vacaville following his retirement from active duty. He entered then entered Civil Service at the base and worked well into the 1980’s. rough the decades they enjoyed watching Vacaville grow around the house they purchased brand new in 1966, the same home she continues to live at independently to this day!
In earlier years, Lanelle greatly enjoyed traveling the globe on numerous adventures with members of her travel club. She was also very fond of group travel to various casinos in western Nevada as she regularly had amazing luck at the slot machines! She has remained an active member of e Saturday Club of Vacaville for over 50 years and was bestowed the distinguished title of “Honorary Member” for her service.
While she enjoyed various jobs prior to marriage, her role as wife of an Air Force O cer and mother of two very energetic boys, Donald and Jerry "Ronald", kept her incredibly ful lled and active. Later in life, she helped
welcome three grandsons and seven great-grandkids to the family.
Lanelle still talks o en of being selected to be highlighted as the family of a military member engaged in the Berlin Airli , with a reporter following her daily activities and interviewing her about being the wife of an Air Force pilot ying supplies into Berlin for this historic mission as well as being present at the Military Tribunal for the Far East in Toyko, and witnessing rsthand the trial of Japan’s Prime Minister Hideki Tojo for war crimes related to World War II.
With her children now raising their own families, Lanelle enjoys reading various newspapers and periodicals; watching TV programs on a variety of topics and interests; and reminiscing as she shares stories of her life and travels with her grandsons, all with incredible recall of names, dates and other details from many decades’ past!
She says her secret to longevity is she believes she was raised on good, solid food and vegetables which formed her healthy body. As she’s aged, she believes simply having good genes may be the best thing she can attribute to her continued health, energy and independence!
Melvin Helen Louise
Helen, along with her twin brother Robert, were born in Sacramento, California. Her dad worked for Mr Buck and they had a home on Buck Ave in Vacaville.
Helen has two daughters, Maggie and Alice, three grandchildren, six great grandkids, four nieces, and two nephews
A er meeting her husband, Bob, Helen would help him run his business, but she was always trying new professions across her lifetime. She was involved in 4-H and the Girl Scouts of America, taught sewing whenever she had a chance, worked the Creamery with Rudy
Werner as her boss, cut fruit, worked at the Nut Tree in Vacaville, and worked at Mare Island doing paperwork.
"Getting things done" has always been a hobby of Helen's. is includes activities such as boating, collecting dri wood, sewing, cooking, and gardening.
No matter her age, Helen remains a child at heart, remembering diving o the high dive at the swimming hole, the day Pearl Harbor was bombed, and getting married in 1942 and having Mr. Fruhling perform the service.
Solano County Board of Supervisors
Miyagishima Tsuyako
Grace 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”. ey married in 1949 and moved to Tokyo. Grace worked as an Army Civilian employee, and then had their son James in 1953, A er her husband retired from the Military they returned to California and settled in San Jose, before moving to Fair eld.
Tsuyako’s was sent to a Japanese concentration camp in Gila Arizona when WWII started. is event had a big impact on her life. Nowadays she enjoys being at home with her husband and watching TV.
Secret to longevity: Living life at Paradise Valley Estates Retirement Community
Nunez Doña Cecilia
Dona Cecy was born in Chihuahua, Mexico, but her family moved to Richmond, California when she was just a year old.
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 o en reminisces of the days when she and her sister, Lupe, would walk and shop in Union Square of San Francisco in the 1940s.
Dona got a job at the State Farm Insurance company in her 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.
Solano
Payne Jessie
Jessie Payne was born in La Grange, TN. Shortly a er getting married in 1946 she relocated to Chicago, Il for a better living. She stayed in Chicago for 70 years until her husband had a stroke. In 2016, they relocated to Vallejo, CA where her daughter, Darlene, and son-in-law, Daniel Gillispie, became their full-time caretakers. A er the loss of her husband, William Payne Sr. in January 2020 she continued to live with her daughter and son-in-law.
Jessie took pride in being an excellent homemaker (domestic engineer) for 10 children, husband and to her 23 grandchildren, 29 great-grandchildren, and 9 greatgreat-grandchildren. She also acted as caretaker of her mother.
Raising children in a Christian environment is one of Jessie's most memorable experiences. In addition, traveling across the country, even to Hawaii to visit the
place where her husband served in WWII, Pearl Harbor is a memory that her children recall as personal favorites of their mother
Due to health challenges hobbies are now limited. Jessie was known as a great cook. She loved canning and baking, walking , word search puzzles, reading the Bible and inspirational books. She still enjoys visits from children and family members and dining out with family. She also enjoys receiving calls from old church members and friends.
Her secret to longevity is loving and serving God and believing the scripture Ephesians 6:2-3 “Honor your father and mother, which is the rst commandment with promise: that it may be well with you, and you may live long on the earth.”
Plunkett Virginia “Ruth”
Virginia was born in Auburn, CA before her family moved to Lincoln, CA where she spent her childhood and early adult years.
A er meeting her future husband, James B. Plunkett, the two were married on September 22, 1945, and welcomed three sons shortly a er. 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.
Solano County Board of
Stack Charlotte
Charlotte Stack was born in Hayward CA and raised in Puyallup Washington. She married Gerald Edward Stack, they had two children: Kathrine and Gary.
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.
Some of her memorable experiences in life have been graduating college, getting married, and the birth of her twins.
Charlotte attributes her secret to longevity to loving people who help, she is blessed that her life is good along with God and prayers kept her going through hard times and trouble
Tate Elizabeth
Elizabeth Fisher Tate was born in Plaquemines Parish, Louisiana. Immediately a er her birth, her family moved to New Orleans, living in the Ninth Ward, in the easternmost part of the city.
She attended public schools there, graduating from McDonogh 35 High School, where the principal was Lucien Alexis, a Harvard graduate. He could not nd a job with his Ivy League degree so he shared his scholarship, discipline and scienti c theories with his students. Tate graduated in 1940 at age 17, when war was approaching and the rst peacetime military dra in U.S. history was approved.
With her father’s blessing, Tate responded to a National Youth Administration newspaper ad. e 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 A airs headed by Mary McLeod Bethune, who later founded Bethune-Cookman College in Florida and the National Council of Negro Women. Bethune also befriended rst lady Eleanor Roosevelt.
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 e ort at the Hunter’s Point Naval Shipyard.
A er the war, she worked for more than two decades at J.C. Penney, the rst Black woman in management at the Daly City store, retiring at age 60.
Tate married Webster Rosboro 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 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 stu . I have God in my life.”
Solano County Board
Tavenier Maria
Maria Tavenier was born to Gijsbertus and Grietje van Halm in Amsterdam, the Netherlands. She lived on the outskirts of Amsterdam and her primary mode of travel was on a bicycle. She was on a rowing team in her early teens, and although she is not fond of water, she did enjoy canoes and sail boating while she lived in Holland. Her life took a turn when Amsterdam was occupied by German forces in May of 1940. Her father didn’t come home one day in early June. She and her mother were informed that the Germans came to his workplace and arrested him as a political prisoner. Although they would exchange letters, she would not see him again until June of 1944 when he showed up one a ernoon unannounced.
A er the war she met her husband, Jan Tavenier where they both worked at the Dutch Aviation Laboratory. ey married in September of 1950 and had two children while living upstairs in a converted attic at her parent’s row house. Jan received a job o er
from Lockheed Corporation at their o ces in Burbank, California. So, with two small children they relocated to southern California and welcomed a third child. A few years later they moved to the south bay where Lockheed opened a facility adjacent to Mo ett Field. She lived there since about 1960 and had her fourth child. She moved from her house to San Ramon to live close to her only daughter. From there she moved to Rockville Terrace in Fair eld where her youngest son lives.
Maria credits her longevity to healthy eating, always cooking a meal at home for dinner where the family always ate together. Many of the vegetables were grown in the backyard vegetable garden. She is not afraid of the salt shaker either! She was always active with hobbies like sewing, crochet, knitting, and needlepointing. She volunteered to work with children with physical disabilities doing physical therapy.
Townsend Gloria
Gloria Townsend was born in Worcester, MA but the whole family moved to California when she was 17-years-old. In 1976, Gloria and her husband bought a hamburger stand and gas station in Fair eld, CA on the corner of Travis and Holiday Lane (where the Raley's is now located). When they moved to the area, they also bought 20 acres on Twin Sisters. Sometime a er, the Raleys corporation bought them out and they invested in a liquor store in Vacaville, CA on the corner of Peabody and Marshall Road. Later they bought a second liquor store in Fair eld. While owning multiple businesses with her husband, Gloria also worked as a realtor and broker. Eventually, she decided to retire (at 75-years-old) and sold her businesses to her nephew.
Gloria's parents were Italian immigrants who had 13 children - Gloria was number 9. She was married to her late husband, Gene, and had four children: Linda, Kenneth, Donna and Michael. Gloria now enjoys
spending time with her seven grandchildren, and seven great-grandchildren.
When she was young, she and her siblings would swim at Lake Quinsigamond, MA.
As a young adult, she worked at a studio in Hollywood and was on a rst name basis with several actors and directors in the 1940s. As a matter of fact, Marlon Brando tried to sweep her o her feet, but she kept work strictly business.
Gloria keeps herself busy by playing Bingo, watching TV (especially Wild at Heart or Star Trek), spending time with family, reading and sometimes going to the casino as well as gardening, knitting and crocheting
Her secret to longevity is keeping busy and being happy and relaxed with everything you do.
Solano County
Velky Mildred Patricia
Mildred Velky was born in Seattle, Washington. Family has always been an important part of Mildred's life, as she has cherished her two children, James and Summer, as well as her ve grandchildren and greatgrandchildren.
Having worked as a waitress, Mildred knows how to take care of the people around her, so it was only natural that in her 60s, Mildred uprooted her life to move to Solano County to be with her aunt and uncle.
Mildred enjoyed staying active through swimming but has slowed down to now enjoying reading and watching tv
She attributes the secret to her longevity to having good genes as her mother lived into her 90’s and good habits such as healthy eating and not smoking.
Vidales Guadalupe
Guadalupe Vidales was born in Guanajuato, Mexico.
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.
While looking for clothes to buy for her store, Guadalupe met Senobio, the love of her life and future husband. ey were married on October 14, 1954 and eventually had three children: Patricia, David, and Robert.
A er 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.
A er 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 re ect back on all that she’s accomplished with her family. She can always be found looking for objects and gi s to give to strangers or to donate to someone in need, as she believes that supporting people can be done just by being involved.
Solano County Board of Supervisors
White Margaret
Margaret 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 rst husband passed away in 2000. She married again in 2006 and her husband passed away in 2018.
Margaret 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 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.
Woodson Emma Lee
Born in the state of Louisiana, Emma Lee would migrate to Vallejo, CA in the early 1960’s with her late husband, Ernest Woodson, to seek better employment and opportunities. Emma Lee would work at the retail store Breuner's Furniture Store in Vallejo for 25 before retiring and spending time with her family
Among her memories, going on cruises and attending various family reunions across the United States are her fondest.
Emma Lee spends her golden years regularly attending her church as well as eating out, traveling, reading, gardening, solving word searches and watching television.
Her secret to longevity is staying physically and mentally active and having a strong Christian faith.
Solano County Board of Supervisors
Young Leona
Leona Young was born Leona Hargus on Aug. 23, 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.
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.
Along the way, they had eight children: Ralph, Mary, Dave, Gary, Herbert, Sharon, George and Alice.
One of the most exciting assignments for Leona was when her husband was stationed in Germany.
“We spent three years in Germany,” she said. “I had a daughter born over there.”
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.
In addition to her eight children, Leona also has 24 grandchildren, 41 great-grandchildren and 13 greatgreat grandchildren.
Leona credits three things to her longevity.
One is the fact that she does not smoke or drink. e second is that she has three daughters nearby who take care of her. Finally, there is her spirituality.
“ e secret of living a long life is that I know I have a savior, Jesus Christ,” she said. “He’s with me every minute.”
In Memory of
Alice Hilda Blomgen Bender
Hazel Johnson Booher
Bernice Booker
CW Callaway
Julia Carrington
Ed Case
Jackie Chaffee
Phyllis Craig
Rosita Cruz
Robert Warren Di mer
Philomae Dixon
Evelyn Ewing
John Fi
Maria Luz Tobias Galang
Charlo e Hahn
Bill Horton
Angelina (Colla) King
Robert W. Kuznik
Iris Moore
Dolores Papin
Anita Jean Parker
Mary Louise Rhemus
Blanche Richardson
Laverne Thompson
Xanthia Warren
Mary Weyand
Learn about the lives of our past Centenarians in commemoration books online. issuu.com/solanocounty
Ellen Lipp Afton H vey B enice Sullivan Ch les P so John Knebel Naz io Orpilla
Delsie Dill Eva Hoekman Sylvia Sh p Cath ine Schneid Dorothy Davin Anthony
Tillen Olivia Tribo Mil ed Goossen Janet Wilh t Cla Hinze Guadalupe Vidales Elizabeth
Rinfret M g et White Rich d Brann Joe P isi Mediline Mason Anastacio De Leon
Jackson Val ie Haycock Lois Fitzg ald Lois B tley Arth Smith Hitoe Shimada Val
cela Hisola G ta C sch V ginia Mangabat P le Williams Alfonzo Ro iguez Seymo
men Arvanitakis M g et Koehl Ernest And son Lupe B umen Ernestina Fiorentini
Jones Lora Smith Lois Dittm John Gonge Juanita Cas o G cia Evelyn Ewing Joseph
Lyon F ril Mulock Rachel Brautigan Lucy Higgs Emma Lee Woodson Bessie Edw ds
Valentin Freddie Wilson-Newborn Lenora Willson Simona Salas Rosalind F aday Rita G
Blackb n Ruth M cacci Walt C roll Edna Elliott V na Salsman Luis Cas o Gladys
Dittm M y Tet s Fred Tyl Lois-Evelyn Peais M ie De Laney Angie King Leona
Ollie Wallin Crisanto Bel an Betty Simpson Julia Rico Eugene Pet son Gene Bow
Frances Trujillo Amalia Godinez
Philomae Dixon Cleo Jones B nice Book Alfred Franceshi
John T k Eileen George-Traynor Walt McDaniel Lanelle Matthews P cy Klimisch Tillie
Rose Wettstein Helen Gaddy Peggy Bassford Byrd M ia Mattos Du te LaVonne Eyres
Cecilia Nunez Iv n Foulk Hyth Butts Eddie M tinez Dorothy Hines Grace Pet son
Morgan M y Toriello Mae Lofgren Hazel Coppock Betta Watson M ia Machado T
Chinnock Stella Hen ickson Ch les Gilb t Lilia Abastillas Hughlon Moak Lena Yolo
Ivy Brittan Bill Ahl
Melba Lofgren M ray Schacht Esth Krum C men Tomas
Horton Cyril O’Neil H old Hall E atee Drap Bruce Sooy Jose Reyes V ginia
Elizabeth Tate Ada Dito Theodore M tz Phyllis Craig Grace Miyagashima M ian
Dorothy Soto Vivien Bean M ian Coles Lav ne Thompson V ginia Mangabat Dorothy
Val ie Rowden M y Loomis
William Oakes Irma Peek Mil ed Velky John Gonge
Seymo M cuse C oline Low Eunice Hilton Elsie Halsted M y Alice Powe Erma Allen
Slavka Scott Ann Stamps William And son H ch an Singh Ed Case Ethel
Joseph Piazza Anna Cong Mil ed Pezzaglia H ry V beek M ge Bors Agnes
Helen Devlin La eana Palu o Agnes Bonds Oakley Dext Elena Bautista Dometila
evas Hazel Booh Irene Bruce Lois Monez Eddie Crummie Rich d M sch Rose
Gladys Helm Stephen Shanahan M ie West Anita P k Ursula Malloch Rob t
Myra Kepling M g et White Viola Josey Cla e Mill Rob t Daine
Stella Roybal Philip Yaggy Guill mo Velasco Ric do Montalvan V ginia Noordyk
Franceshi M ia Tobias Galang
Tillie Loya Ed Dillion
Delois Brash Leona Elledge Lilia Rhodes M vel Brew
Eleanor M shall H ry C sch M ia Tavani Sh ley Helmich
G ald Simoni Jessie Payne M ia Galang Tillie Golden M gu ite Messeng Dona
Co olacion Asuncion Ch lotte Hahn Ch ley Callaway Jr Basilisa Ilog Gwendolyn
uo Miyagishima Eunice Root Xanthia W renv M ie Westcot M ian W n E l
Pet Caggiano Lupe Ramos M y Louise Rhemus Rich d Betchley Nav re M shall
