Photo Credit: Ann Marie Shambaugh/Neighborsgo

Three 101-year-old residents at the Gardens of Richardson senior living center received a proclamation from Richardson Mayor Gary Slagel on Monday, May 9, 2011, in honor of their “long and prosperous lives.”

The mayor recognized Virginia Krueger, Lillian Driscoll and Dorothy Montino during a lunchtime ceremony in front of dozens of the facility’s residents and their family members. The presentation took place during National Nursing Home Week.

Dorothy Montino was the first to turn 101. She was born in Minsk, Russia, on Aug. 27, 1909, to parents who moved to the U.S. in 1911. She worked in the defense plant during World War II, and she became a U.S. citizen in 1945.

The Richardson resident of 31 years said turning 100 was not a big deal for her.

“[It was] like any other day …” Montino said. “Life just continues.”

Virginia Kreuger celebrated her 101st birthday on April 1. She has four children, 14 grandchildren and 27 great-grandchildren. She lived in Mexico for 82 years but moved to Richardson to be near her daughter.

She celebrated her 100th and 101st birthdays with family and friends, and she said the secret to a long life is to embrace its gifts.

“I love life,” Kreuger said. “I love the Lord and all the blessings he has given me. It’s just unreal.”

Lillian Driscoll was the most recent resident to celebrate a birthday when she turned 101 years old on May 5. She grew up in Chicago and moved to Richardson to be near her family, which includes a son, four grandchildren and seven great-grandchildren.

She described the experience of turning 100 as “amazing” and said she’s had “a wonderful life.”

Driscoll has two bits of advice for those seeking longevity.

“Pray and try to be of service to others as much as you can,” she said.

A link to the original story online: http://www.neighborsgo.com/stories/70339