So much to accomplish in 100 years

Last weekend I had a 50-year reunion with two of my friends. We are all originally from Montreal, but the two who still live in Canada decided California had better weather, so we gathered at my home.

We had fun reminiscing about old times. After meeting the Costa Mesa Senior Center’s latest centenarian, we talked about how we are all living longer these days but still think reaching the age of 100 is something quite remarkable.

This week the center celebrated the 100th birthday of a beautiful lady, Genevera Gustafson. The party was attended by 100 of her friends, and she was entertained by Dave Dixon, a wonderful baritone who performs at Regatta Cafe on Lido Isle. Dave serenaded Genevera and her friends with familiar songs and danced with the delighted guests. The guests, who enjoyed a delicious pasta meal, are looking forward to their own 100th birthday parties at the center.

Genevera’s life has been a musical one. Born Genevera Kane on April 30, 1906, in Wisner, Neb., she was one of seven children, with two sisters and four brothers. Her love of music began with piano lessons at age 6.

At 10, Genevera began her career in entertainment. She and her older sister, Addie, would play piano and violin for the local silent movie theater. They also played at local dances because many of the male musicians were overseas fighting in World War I. After graduating high school at 16, she attended the University of Nebraska with Addie, playing evenings in an all-girl band at an upscale restaurant. The talented sisters even managed to play on a local radio station.

Eventually they moved to Denver where they continued to display their musical talents, not only in night clubs and restaurants but also at special mayoral functions. From there, the sisters moved to Los Angeles. At a music store, they met a woman who had organized an all-girl band and was in need of a drummer. True to character, Genevera said she would take lessons and so became a drummer as well. Not long after, her younger sister, Betty, joined, and a new act, “The Three Blonde Babes,” was born. They performed at a variety of theaters in the Los Angeles area.

Genevera married Roy Gustafson, and eventually they settled in Costa Mesa with their three children. They bought and ran La Mesa Motel on Old Newport Boulevard until it had to make way for a freeway expansion.

Genevera loved to cook and made delicious homemade pies and canned fruits and vegetables for her family and friends.

Today, she is content to visit her friends at the Costa Mesa Senior Center, where she sometimes tickles those ivories.

My friends mused about the changes Genevera has seen in her lifetime. Just in the world of music, there have been synthesizers, tape recorders, compact discs, digital music and much more.

What a wonderful life indeed. Happy birthday, Genevera!