Utah’s eldest, 102, 109 years, receive honors from Governor

WEST JORDAN – Gov. Gary R. Herbert, first lady Jeanette Herbert and Lt. Gov. Greg Bell hosted the 27th annual Centenarian Celebration today at the Viridian Event Center in West Jordan. The event honors Utah’s residents 100 years of age and older.

“Utah’s centenarians are living treasures for our state,” Gov. Herbert said. “Their knowledge, wisdom and experience serve as a bridge to Utah’s honored past and remind us of our responsibility to build a bright future for all Utahns.”

Approximately 40 centenarians, accompanied by friends and family, attended the celebration. The oldest man, Alex Wadley, of Utah County, will be 102 on Oct. 24. The oldest woman, Anna Mancuso, of Davis County, is 109.

Census data indicated that Utah had at least 155 centenarians in 2000; 112 are known to the Utah Division of Aging and Adult Services. Their population is projected at 1,400 by 2050, about the size of the Duchesne, Coalville or Kamas municipalities.

Southern Utah is home to 10 centenarians (nine women and one man): Oleta Johnson, age 100, and Georgia Mustonen, age 100, of Cedar City, Betty Mendoza, age 101, of Hurricane and Elvin “Andy” Anderson, age 101, Nieves Dominguez, age 100, Vera Dugdale, age 100, Hazel Mott, age 101, Maggie Stucki, age 102, Mary Walker, age 100, and Fern Williams, age 103, of St. George.

Today’s centenarians have witnessed incredible change; indoor plumbing, electricity and the automobile. They have lived through two World Wars and the Great Depression. When asked which innovation had the most impact on their lives, most mentioned radio, TV, automobiles and airplanes.

Gov. Herbert offered brief remarks before he, the first lady and Bell greeted the centenarians and presented them with certificates.

Click on photo to enlarge it, then use your left-right arrow keys to cycle through the gallery. 

UPDATED 5:40 p.m. to include photos as received.

Submitted by: Utah Division of Aging and Adult Services, Utah Department of Human Services

Email: [email protected]

Twitter: @STGnews

oldest-citizens

Free News Delivery by Email

Would you like to have the day's news stories delivered right to your inbox every evening? Enter your email below to start!

Leave a Reply

This site uses Akismet to reduce spam. Learn how your comment data is processed.