Seniors
- Last Updated on Saturday, 01 June 2019 02:30
LaVerne Zollars Forbes celebrated her 100th birthday on May 23, 2019. She was born LaVerne Leis on May 23, 1919 at home in Clairton.
The Birthday Girl! - Laverne pictured with her daughter Charlene. |
She is the second of four children and the only girl. Her brothers are Bud, Jack and Bill Leis. After graduating from Clairton High School in 1938, LaVerne attended business school and became a secretary for BlueCross/Blue Shield. On September 11, 1945 LaVerne married James Zollars. They had two children, Charlene and Richard Zollars.
LaVerne’s husband, James died at age 46 in 1966 and she later remarried Donald Forbes in 1975 and became stepmother to Cheryl and James Forbes. Donald died in 1999.
Over the years, LaVerne has enjoyed sewing, playing cards and baking. She sent care packages of baked good to her children, nieces and nephews while they were attending college. Her specialties were cookies and nut rolls. But her real love has always been music and dancing. LaVerne’s husbands were dancers, too and she enjoyed going out dancing quite often.
LaVerne now calls Arrowood at Southwestern home, where she has resided since 2014. At 100 years old she is an active activities participant, especially morning exercise and bingo, and she still strolls the Arrowood grounds. She especially enjoys the entertainers that Arrowood provides. She can be found singing and tapping her feet to the music!! She has a wonderful sense of humor and is a pleasure to spend time with. Happy Birthday LaVerne!