'It's not every day someone is 106'

MINERAL RIDGE — Lillian Goehring said she got up and got dressed early Sunday, then laid back down on her bed to get some more sleep.

After all, she needed her strength for her 106th birthday party Sunday afternoon at Briarfield at The Ridge, 3379 Main St., where she has made her home for the last nine years.

The event drew 40 members of her family, including her four daughters and one son, to the nursing home and assisted living center.   When the family celebration ended, her friends from Briarfield came into the party room for some cake and good wishes.

“She has a lot of friends,” said Brandy Ross, activities director at Briarfield.   She keeps up with current events, continues to be active and attends all of the daily activities.   She also has a group of women she meets with every day in her wing at Briarfield and really enjoys Saturday church services, Ross said.

Seeing her family is something Lillian said she enjoys “very, very much.”

In addition to her five children (ages 73 to 82) , she has more than 40 grandchildren, great-grandchildren and great-great-grandchildren.

“I wouldn’t miss it,” said granddaughter Diane Goldschmidt of Atlanta, who traveled the greatest distance to get to the party.   “We’ve been doing this for 20 years.”

Lillian has lived through two world wars (Two of her brothers served in World War I and two served in World War II.) and to see a man walk on the moon.   When she was born, transportation was still primarily by horse and buggy.

Ross said Briarfield organized this birthday party for its oldest resident.

“It’s not every day someone is 106,” she said.

Lillian’s family took her off the premises to a rented hall for her 105th birthday celebration.

“We try to have something for her every year,” said daughter Audrey James of Lordstown.

“Briarfield has been very good to us,” added daughter Donna Davis of Chagrin Falls.

Her other children are Mary Infante and Lois Watkins of Niles and Paul Goehring of Cortland.

Lillian was one of eight children, four of whom (including her) went to Ohio University.

She was born in Orient, Ohio, and the family moved to Cortland while she was in high school.

After graduating from Ohio University, she took a job as a teacher in one-room schools, serving a year on Ohltown, one year in Fowler and one year in Cleveland before getting married to Alvah   Goehring and moving to West Park Avenue in Niles where she lived for more than 50 years.

Alvah died in the early 1970s.

When asked to what she attributes her longevity, Lillian smiled and replied, “I don’t know.”

“She was always a church person,” said daughter Audrey James, noting that her mother was always active at the First Methodist Church in Niles.

Lillian’s long-range plans?

“Be good enough to go to heaven,” she said, smiling again.