Valley resident celebrates 100 years

Submitted by Carol Wilson

Activities director at Carson Valley Residential Care Center

Catherine Swallow turned 100 years old on Nov. 11, 2010.

A 6-year resident of Carson Valley Residential Care Center, her milestone was celebrated with her friends and visiting family members at CVRCC. Her birthday was topped off with a special brunch at Meadowcliff Restaurant in Coleville, Calif., her favorite place to dine.

Born in Nebraska, north of Omaha, Catherine lived on a farm until she was 10 years old. The family then moved to Castro Valley in California. She was the only girl among six brothers. Her father was a veterinarian.

She later married her sweetheart Earl Swallow, a businessman. They raised their four children in California where she lived until relocating to Gardnerville after Earl's retirement in 1982. They had spent 57 years together before his passing.

Catherine has 16 grandchildren, 12 great-grandchildren and three great-great grandchildren. Catherine enjoys traveling and has been around the entire United States.

Alert and sharp as someone half her age, she attributes her longevity to her religious faith which has sustained her, she says, since 1924.