Community: Turning 100 is worth celebrating twice

January 14, 2014|By Joyce Rudolph

Grace Mylroie Patz, celebrating her 100th birthday,… (Photo by Joyce Rudolph )

Twice was nice when friends and family of Grace Mylroie Patz toasted her for turning 100 at two celebrations in December. She was born on Christmas Day in 1913 in San Diego.

Mylroie Patz received special recognition from Mayor Emily Gabel-Luddy during a holiday party held by the Providence St. Joseph Medical Center Guild at Lakeside Golf Club on Dec. 11.

Then on Dec. 29, some 200 guests gathered at Lakeside for a birthday luncheon hosted by Mylroie Patz's family and the Laureate Kappa Xi Sisters of Beta Sigma Phi.

“All I can say is, thank you, God, for all you wonderful friends, neighbors, relatives — you have made my life what it is today,” Mylroie Patz said. “I love you all dearly and may your life be as happy and as long as mine. God bless you all.”

Mylroie Patz's sons, Jim Mylroie and Gerry Mylroie, and their families attended Sunday's party as did her step-daughter, Bonnie McConnell, and her family. McConnell and her daughter, Jessica, made the centerpieces, which included framed pictures of Mylroie Patz and bouquets of Gerbera daisies, roses and Stargazer lilies in pink and white.

Granddaughter Lara Infuso read her grandmother's biography, touching on such highlights as Mylroie Patz becoming a member of Job's Daughters as a young woman and, while attending the University of Wyoming, joining Kappa Delta Sorority. Then in 1935, Grace joined Beta Sigma Phi and has remained a member for 78 years.

“While in school, she worked in the family's bakery and at the Albany National Bank for 25 cents an hour,” Infuso said. “She would actually cut sheets of money with scissors.”

Often asked what is her grandmother's secret to longevity, Infuso tells people good genes, luck and love and support of friends and family, but the true secret is what's up here, pointing to her head — determination, a zest for life and a positive attitude.

Mylroie Patz and her first husband, Robert Mylroie, started dating while they were attending the University of Wyoming. They married in 1938 and had sons Jim in 1940 and Gerry in 1945.

Robert Mylroie was called into service in 1940 in the Army Air Corps, stationed at Jefferson Barracks in Missouri. He was transferred to Guam early in 1945 with the rank of lieutenant colonel. He was discharged later that year.

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