Elsie Goss celebrates 100th birthday

April 6, 2012

Elsie Goss took a break from her 100th birthday party just long enough to pose with her family. They are (front, from left) Jeril Goss, Elsie Goss, Tracee Zanos; (back) John Goss, Diane Zanos, Jillian Goss and Adrienne Goss. (Photo by Dan Long/The Punxsutawney Spirit)

PUNXSUTAWNEY — Friday, April 6, Elsie Goss reached a milestone that few people ever see: Living to see the age of 100.

For this occasion, Friday, Mrs. Goss celebrated her 100th birthday with family and friends — as well as cake, decorations and all the traditional birthday favors — at Mulberry Square Elder Care & Rehabilitation Center.

The Mulberry Square staff also took the time to gather 100 balloons for the special occasion.

Mrs. Goss’ son, John, explained that his mother was born in Altman and raised in the small coal mining town of Iselin, which is in southern Indiana County.

“It was a small-knit town,” he said. “Back then, everybody went to visit each other. You knew your neighbors back then.

She was a dedicated housewife and mother, and also worked at a meat packing factory in Saltsburg.

Mrs. Goss and her husband, Blair Goss, raised eight children: John, Anne Harvot, Diane Zanos, Patricia Gulakowski, Donna Runyan, Blair Jr., Jack and Bill.

“She was a very devoted mother,” John said.

Today, Mrs. Goss has 29 grandchildren, 15 great-grandchildren, and three great-great-grandchildren.

She has always enjoyed baking, knitting, crocheting and took pride in taking care of her children.