By Mary O’KEEFE

Elsie Hughes celebrated her 100th birthday with a party on Saturday at the American Legion Post 288. She sat at her table as guests came by, shook her hand and wished her well. She sat calmly with an elegance not often seen in these modern times. She smiled as folks greeted her, nodded her head as family and friends reminisced and spoke quietly to those sitting around her.

It is staggering to think of how over the last 100 years she has watched the world change, but what may be even more poetic is how similar it is today.

Just before she was born, the United States entered World War I, the “war to end all wars.” That, of course, was not the case and throughout the years wars and conflicts have come and gone. Women suffragists struggled to be recognized. In 1917, the first woman was elected to Congress – Jeannette Rankin, Republican, representing Montana. Women were making their presence known, with many demonstrations led by Alice Paul and the National Woman’s Party members protesting for equal rights, but there were still struggles and arrests of suffragists.

Babe Ruth was still the pitcher of the Red Sox at the beginning of 1917, J. Edgar Hoover became the first director of the FBI, Boys Town was established in Omaha, Nebraska and Mata Hari was executed as a spy in France. In Pasadena the third Rose Bowl parade and game were celebrated with Oregon Webfoots beating Pennsylvania Penn Quakers in the football game.

For Elsie, no matter what was going on in the outside world, her world was family, church and living a positive life.

“She is never bored,” said granddaughter Megan Luce. “She has always lived a positive life, is the matriarch of our family and an inspiration to all of us.”

Elsie has been a member of the La Crescenta Presbyterian Church for years. She is still very independent with help from her son Charles, “Chuck,” who lives close by and, though some at her age have difficulty remembering names, she knows everyone from her past and present. She has four grandchildren and four great-grandchildren and loves spending time with them.

Elsie was born in Pennsylvania which, by the way, was where the first gas station was established in 1917. She went to college at the University of Arizona where her uncle was the registrar.

“She really didn’t want to go to college there but her mother wanted her to go because her brother was [there],” said son Jeffrey Hughes.

She became part of the Greek life while at college and has been an Alpha Phi since 1935. She was part of the Class of 1939 but stayed around the university after graduation.

It was in Tucson that she met her husband Thomas Hughes.

“He was in the Army Air Corps,” said daughter Candy Casarella. “He and a friend were ferrying a plane back East (in 1941) and stopped in Tucson. Dad’s friend had a date with an Alpha Phi [girl] and wanted Dad to come along because the girl was bringing a friend.”

The friend turned out to be Elsie.

“Dad was engaged to another girl in California at the time,” added Casarella. “He said the minute he saw [Elsie] walk down the steps at the [Alpha Phi house] he fell in love.”

When he went back to California he broke up with his fiancée and began courting Elsie. It was not a long courtship; they were soon married.

“He was in the service and they didn’t talk for [about] two years. They only [communicated] through letters,” Jeffery said.

Elsie moved to California where her husband was born and raised – his mother was an actress in silent films and a model. Elsie went to work as a teacher and the couple raised their family in Crescenta Valley.

Over the years her husband’s health deteriorated but, Megan said, her grandmother was the constant caregiver.

“Dad was in a wheelchair and she drove him everywhere,” Casarella added.

She credits part of her mother’s longevity to her great sense of humor.

“I hope I have her genes,” she joked.

For Elsie, the party, which was held at the American Legion Hall Post 288 because her son Chuck is a member, was a happy tribute. Everyone in the room sang Happy Birthday, led by daughter Louise Davies and granddaughter Luce.

It was a treat to see everybody, she said.

When asked what 100 felt like she said, “Just like any other age.”

  Mary Okeefe