By: Amy Jones, Forté Group, Inc.

Living to 100 years old is a milestone not experienced by many, but several centenarians right in Beaumont have reached 100 or beyond and they will be celebrating their achievement later this month. These extraordinary residents live at Calder Woods, a non-profit, faith-based senior living community, and the community is throwing them and their families a special celebration August 24th at 3:00 p.m. Seven of the residents are nearing 100 or more in the next year, and the community is inviting their relatives and fellow residents to share in this massive birthday bash together. The party will honor the special birthday guests with a photo display and family members will share a favorite memory of their loved one. Each centenarian will receive a special plaque recognizing their accomplishment, and birthday cake and punch will be served. These residents have witnessed history and seen the world change greatly in the last 100 years. Calder Woods looks forward to honoring them by acknowledging the rich lives they continue to live.

100-year-old Lucy Fanette has lived in Beaumont since 1935. She has seen the town grow and change tremendously. Long lives run in her family; her mom lived until she was just two weeks shy of her 100th birthday. Fanette has four children, two of which live in Beaumont, four grandchildren and four great-grandchildren. She was active in the Daughters of the American Revolution and First United Methodist Church. Fanette keeps her mind active by reading about one book a week, along with newspapers and magazines, and she also enjoys crossword puzzles.

“I consider myself to be the luckiest person in the world,” said Fanette. “I have children and grandchildren I’m very proud of and who love me. I’m still able to enjoy activities I love in the town I met my husband in and raised my children in, which is special to me.”

Another resident, Shelby Romere, celebrated his 101st birthday earlier this year. He is a Port Arthur native and earned a baseball scholarship to Notre Dame University where he was fondly given the nickname “Tex.” Romere served his country in the Army Air Corps during World War II and was stationed in Hawaii during Pearl Harbor. He worked for 43 years at Sun Oil, retiring in 1979. Romere and his wife, Gladys, raised five children together and now have six grandchildren. “My mother lived to be 100, which I think is where my longevity comes from,” said Romere. “But I never thought I would make it here, but I feel lucky enough to have inherited her genes.”

The centenarian residents to be honored will be: Shelby Romere (101), Lucy Fanette (100), Naomi Haynes (100), Doris Bethard (99), Edith Lee (99), Edith Bedell (99) and Cornelia Dickinson (98). The community will hold a short ceremony recognizing each resident and sharing facts about life 100 years ago.

“We’re looking forward to celebrating and honoring our centenarian residents at the party,” said David Long, director of marketing for Calder Woods. “They have witnessed so much history, and their presence and knowledge adds to our community. We want everyone to know how special they are and that they continue to contribute greatly to our community.”