‘Incredible lives’ shared and celebrated as 10 centenarians mark birthdays

The 10 centenarians — yes, 10 — recently celebrating birthdays at Rowntree Gardens in Stanton were dubbed “Golden Age Royalty” by Kerri Clark, chief operating officer of the senior living community.

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If that is so, then June Barthol is the queen of the castle.

Barthol, who turned 109 on June 4 (you read that right), is among a cherished group of Rowntree Gardens residents who turned 100 or older over the past year and were honored with a centennial celebration on Friday.

She was among nine women and one man, ranging in age from 100 to 109, who sat at the festively adorned head table in front of a gathering of Rowntree residents, staff and family members totaling about 200.

Their life stories stretched from wartime Europe to hospitals, farms and California classrooms.

“You’ve all lived incredible lives, raised families, gained so much wisdom, and we’re just so glad that we get to share in this season of life with you,” Clark said. “To the families and loved ones of our community members, we thank you for sharing them with us.”

To the quintessential question asked of any centenarian — what are the keys to living for an entire century — Barthol immediately responded, “I stay active. And if there is an opportunity to do something, I do it.” Activities include exercise classes and craft fairs.

A mother of two with seven grandchildren and five great‑grandchildren, Barthol maneuvers her motorized wheelchair with the command of a seasoned driver, turning on a dime, moving backward and forward with ease.

Barthol was born on a California farm, the youngest of six, with some older siblings born in the 1800s. She was an operating‑room nurse, Red Cross worker and spent years as a Girl Scout leader.

“I’m so lucky,” said Barthol’s granddaughter, Debbi Reeser, of being able to spend time with her grandmother. Reeser said she visits when she can and decorates Barthol’s living space for Christmas. “I tell everybody too.”

Other honorees included:

Soula Thomas, 102, born in New York to Greek parents. She lived in Greece during World War II and assisted Allied pilots as part of the Greek resistance.

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Nancy Willingham, 102, an accomplished violinist, earned a master’s degree in home economics from the University of Kentucky. Willingham created recipes for the Consumer Rice Board and played tennis into her 80s.

Ernest Maunders, 101, the lone man in the group, was a Morse‑code transcriber for the Royal Air Force before immigrating to America on the Queen Mary.

Marilyn Lindley, 101, returned to school after raising her children and became a teacher.

Josephine Marshall, 100, raised three children as a homemaker in San Francisco.

Carol Langley, 100, a mother of three, worked more than 20 years as a nurse in hospitals and doctors’ offices.

Dorothy Frechen, 100, taught high‑school math before moving into medical‑field work. She was married 53 years and raised five children.

Jeanne Tataro, 100, moved west from Long Island, New York, worked at Prudential, and has two sons with multiple grandchildren and great‑grandchildren.

Helen Gilmore, 100, was born in Nebraska and spent her career teaching elementary school.

Multiple prerecorded video tributes were played during the celebration, highlighting the centenarians’ personalities, longevity, hobbies and family impact.

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