by Peter Weinberger | pweinberger@claremont-courier.com

Even with the latest medical advances extending our lives, reaching 100 years of age remains a rare milestone. On Tuesday, La Verne’s Hillcrest retirement community honored a group of seven centenarians, some of which were well past it.

The Hillcrest residents honored were Margaret Coston, 100 (the youngest of the group, born in September 1923); Graham Lovelace, 100; Lena Ott Coffman, 100; Imogene Hanawalt, 102; Sterling Pratt, 103; Ruth Kurtz, 104; and Atala Brovo, who is 109 years old!

More than 110 people attended the event, which was focused on the unique lives led by each of the honorees. It included trivia questions that helped contextualize all they have witnessed and experienced over their lifetimes.

Among the stories told at the event was 100-year-old Lovelace recalling a recent six-day cruise to Alaska with his family. Attendees also learned that although 109-year-old Brovo has lived in the U.S. since 1966, she hasn’t yet learned to speak English. Coffman told those gathered that she attended a one-room elementary school, then after graduating from La Verne College in 1944, returned to that school as a teacher.

Judging by the reactions from those in attendance, hearing about the lives of the seven honorees was a very emotional experience.

Hillcrest’s centenarians are honored Tuesday at Hillcrest retirement community. Courier photo/Peter Weinberger

Lena Ott Coffman, 100, and her daughter Valerie Coffman (left) mingle with guests after Tuesday’s event at Hillcrest retirement community. Courier photo/Peter Weinberger