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Mildred Brant celebrates 107th birthday
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Neighbors | Sarah Foor . Humility of Mary Assumption Village resident Mildred Brant (center) celebrated her 107th birthday at the facility on March 20. Brant welcomed four generations of family to the event, including her daughters, grandchildren, great grandchildren, and great-great grandchildren.
By SARAH FOOR
Each month at Humility of Mary’s Assumption Village in North Lima, the facility celebrates special residents with a birthday bash. During its March 20 celebration, an extraordinary birthday was celebrated as Mildred Brant turned 107 years old.
The Assumption Village resident celebrated her 107 years with cake and ice cream, entertainment and visits from many of her family members.
Brant has amassed a family tree that includes her three daughters, 13 grandchildren, 9 great-grandchildren and 11 great-great grandchildren. Although a few members of the family live out-of-state and could not attend, relatives from each of the five generations of the Brant family were present.
Reflections on Brant’s very long life were abound at the event. Born on March 20, 1905 in Youngstown, Mildred married Charles Brant in 1928. They lived together for 58 years, until his death in 1986.
During World War II, Brant went to work for her country as a “Rosie the Riveter,” welding tank treads for the Navy at the Truscon Steel, a division of the Republic Steel Corporation.
However, the event wasn’t just about looking back. Friends and family also celebrated the person Brant is today.
“We’re definitely lucky to have Mildred in our facility. She’s quick-witted and fun, and she often has the staff laughing out loud,” activity aide Sarah Schlegel said.
Brant was living in Boardman with her oldest daughter, Marge Fergus, prior to coming to Assumption Village in 2007.
Fergus and Shirley Curley, another daughter, said many things about their mom have stayed constant throughout their lifetimes.
“She always loved canning fruit and vegetables as we were growing up. She is a great sewer and used to make dresses for us and dress shirts for dad,” Curley remembered.
“Mom has a great sense of humor and is very family-oriented. Today is a very special celebration,” Fergus added.
Fergus and Curley said many of their family members have lived well into their 80s and 90s, proving that longevity may be in their genes.
“Mom trumps them all, though. We call her our energizer bunny, because she just keeps going and going,” Fergus said with a smile.