Birthday parade honors woman as she turns 100
By JEFF STITT
jstitt@yourmvi.com
Songs of celebration and car horns could be heard for blocks around as Elizabeth King of McKeesport, who is turning 100 Sunday, kicked off her birthday weekend in a special way Friday, thanks to the staff at Community LIFE McKeesport.
The clients of Community LIFE’s Health and Wellness Center haven’t been able to spend time at the Olympia Shopping Center location due to coronavirus pandemic precautions.
Community LIFE is dedicated to helping older adults stay healthy and at home, according to Activity Coordinator Mary Beth M. DiSanti.
In non-pandemic times, they can enjoy a variety of activities at Community LIFE Health and Wellness Centers and take advantage of transportation options. In the Mon Valley, Community LIFE offers locations in McKeesport and on Trebella Circle in Rostraver Township.
If the patients and the staff of Community LIFE could have gathered at the center Friday for a party marking King’s centennial birthday they would have, according to DiSanti.
“We love her,” she said of King, adding that she is a friend to the staff and her fellow patients.
Since pandemic mitigation efforts have forced Community LIFE to temporarily close the centers for physical attendance, a 100th birthday party with all her friends from the center wasn’t possible.
That inspired DiSanti and travel coordinator Ken Dandar to come up with the idea of a Community LIFE McKeesport 100th birthday parade for King, who, prior to the pandemic, loved spending a few hours a day at the McKeesport Health and Wellness Center five days per week.
With an escort from McKeesport police, a train of Community LIFE vehicles, including shuttle buses vans, SUVs and cars, paraded past King’s McKeesport home Friday afternoon as she sat on her porch wrapped in a blanket and wearing a pink “Happy Birthday” crown with her daughter, Lasonne Wooten, and some of her grandchildren by her side.
King said that “it feels good” to be 100 years young.
“I’m glad I got to 100,” she said.
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