Danica Kulisich, a 30-year resident of Magnolia, celebrated her 100th birthday at a gathering on Oct. 11.
The festivity, arranged by her nieces, Mary Ann Bishop and Louise Major, brought together 75 family members and friends not only from the Seattle area but from California, New Mexico and distant Northwest communities as well.
The celebrant, nee Danica Sutlovich, was born on Oct. 8, 1909 in Veli Iz, Croatia.
She offers no particular explanation for her longevity except that she has always eaten lots of home-grown vegetables from her garden, and quickly adds that she is happy to have been an American for 80 years.
Mrs. Kulisich moved to Magnolia from Campbell, Calif. a few years after the death of her husband, Anton, in 1971.
Noteworthy among the guests was Kulisich's cousin, 87-year-old Anna Konatich, who traveled from California "just to sing a song or two" for Kulisich in their native Croatian language.
Anna also reminisced about having attended Kulisich's wedding when she was 5-years-old.
Father James Johnson, pastor of Magnolia's Our Lady of Fatima Parish bestowed blessings on his long-time parishioner.
Kulisich's centennial was also enhanced with the receipt of congratulatory scrolls from Pope Benedict and President Obama.[[In-content Ad]]
