MILWAUKEE (WISN) – A Milwaukee woman celebrated her 100th birthday with family and friends, including three other centenarians.
In 1924, there was no television, Calvin Coolidge was in the White House, and Dolores Schwabe was born. The 100-year-old celebrated her birthday Friday with family and friends at Wilson Commons, an assisted living community in Milwaukee.
“It’s my birthday. I’m 100 years old, and I never thought I would make it to that,” Schwabe said. “My people, all my friends. I didn’t think I had this many friends. They’re all nice enough to come, and I’m happy with them.”
For the occasion, she wore a special pink blouse she bought decades ago that she originally thought would serve a very different purpose.
“Jokingly, I said, ‘Oh, that outfit – when I die, I’d like to wear that,’” Schwabe said.
Schwabe’s family, including grandson Jeff Eversmann, flew in from across the country to mark this milestone with her.
“We were just counting down the days until we could come and visit her,” Eversmann said. “Thrilled to be able to do so.”
Some of Schwabe’s friends at the party – Dorothy, Agnes and Marie – are all also 100 years or older.
“She also had three other people that welcomed her into the centenarian club. It’s not very often that you see four people that are over 100 years old in one community,” said Rick Roeglin, Wilson Commons executive director.
When asked what the secret to seeing a century is, Schwabe credited “just living the normal life.”
“Not putting on, trying to be happy,” she said. “Just to do whatever I could to help people.”
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