Leta Sheffield of Clarkston celebrated her 100th birthday with two cakes, one at Independence Township Senior Center and another at Good Samaritan Lutheran in Pontiac.
‘We wanted to celebrate this milestone birthday,? said Margaret Bartos, senior center coordinator.
Sheffield is the senior center’s first 100-year-old person, Bartos said.
Sheffield, whose birthday was March 9, went to Lutheran parochial school when she was younger and was a licensed practical nurse at Pontiac General for about 30 years. Now she enjoys playing cards, bingo and crosswords puzzles.
‘This is the nicest group,? she said about her friends at the senior center.
She is very grateful to be 100 years old, and thankful she is healthy, she said.
John Sheffield Jr., Leta’s son, said he’s glad Leta’s health is still good at 100, and now she reads and watches TV.
Leta has been a patron at the senior center for ten years, and visits twice a week, transported by township drivers, Bartos said.
Up until a few years ago, Sheffield volunteered with the newsletter and other things around the center.
‘She has a wonderful smile, she’s always pleasant and appreciative,? Bartos said. “She has a very good sense of humor, loves to get out, and is an avid bird watcher.”
Bartos hopes other patrons of the center will turn 100.
“A lot of people are turning 90 years old at the center,” she said.
‘It’s not going to be as rare as it once was. A lot of 80-year-olds are playing softball. It’s a different day for aging.?