Mulberry Gardens of Southington celebrates two centenarians

Friends, family and staff of Mulberry Gardens of Southington, a not for profit assisted living, adult day and memory care community, celebrated two 100-year-old birthdays in the last several weeks.

The first celebration was for Greta Liczek, a Southington resident, who marked her milestone birthday on April 24. Liczek was born in 1916 in Czechoslovakia. She later moved to the United States and lived in Shelton from 1939 to 2005 where she raised her two daughters, Betty and MaryAnn. She was employed by Auto Swage and BF Goodrich and also belonged to the Rosary Society in Shelton. Her hobbies include cooking, baking and gardening.

Liczek is a member of the Mulberry Gardens of Southington Adult Day Center where her birthday event featured entertainment by “Elvis.” She also has five grandchildren, Danny, Ashley, Kristen, Karen and Kate, and two great-grandchildren, Mason and Olivia.

The festivities continued on April 30 for the 100th birthday of Mulberry Gardens resident Helene Belas, who was born on May 2, 1916 in Indian Orchard, Massachusetts. She later moved to New Haven with her family. She also lived in Southington and Plantsville, where she got married and raised her family including two sons, Michael and David. She also has two grandchildren, David Jr. and Stephanie.

During World War II, Belas served in WAVES (Women Accepted for Volunteer Emergency Service), the women’s branch of the U.S. Naval Reserve. She was stationed in Arlington, Virginia and Washington, D.C. At the end of the war, she returned to Southington and worked at General Electric in Plainville. She has also worked for Aetna insurance group and as a teacher’s assistant in a kindergarten classroom.

Her hobbies include gardening, bingo, reading, card games (especially bridge at the Calendar House) and taking long walks outdoors.

Mulberry Gardens of Southington, located at 58 Mulberry St., is a Hartford HealthCare partner.