4 Celebrate a Century Full of Life
Birthday parties are a regular occurrence at the Park Superior Nursing Center in Newport Beach, with monthly celebrations.
But this month’s party on Monday was more unusual: Four of the residents--Ed Luke, Marvel Cannon, Louise Heller and Ruth Reimer--were all celebrating 100 years or more of life.
Luke and Cannon are both 100. Reimer turned 102 on Monday and Heller is 103 years old today.
“We’ve had lots of 100-year-olds,” said Park Superior Administrator Donna Williams, “but never four who were all born in the same month.”
The quartet of centenarians enjoyed the lively occasion. They donned party hats, blew horns and enjoyed cake and ice cream. About 75 people turned out to wish Luke, Cannon, Heller and Reimer luck.
A pianist playing tunes from the era before television lent an air of sophistication to the event.
The most solemn moment of the afternoon came when family members recounted the lives of their oldest living relatives, reminding everyone that the honorees represent the living history of the 20th century.
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