Fireworks Mark 'Aunt Jennie's' 100th Birthday

The value of something is usually measured by its age. The older an object, the more valuable it becomes — provided it is properly taken care of.

People, too, become more valuable as they celebrate birthday after birthday.  Wisdom and knowledge gained throughout life make them more and more valuable each day.

Jennie Williams is likely the most valuable person in Emmaus. She may even be considered priceless by her family and friends. Two weeks ago, June 24, she celebrated her 100^th birthday at a party with family and friends.

Is there a special person in your life celebrating a landmark birthday? Email jennifer.marangos@patch.com or Tell us in the comments.

She was born on June 24, 1912 on a farm in Shimerville to Harrison and Katie Kline. 

William Taft was the President of the United States. President Barack Obama is the 18^th president to reign during the lifetime of Aunt Jennie, as she is often called.

Along with her seven brothers and sisters, Aunt Jennie attended a one-room school house for grades one through eight in the village. 

“And we walked to school — no matter how far or what kind of weather. There were no busses to take us there,” she added.

When she began working at a silk mill at age 16, Aunt Jennie was expected to pay her parents $3 each week for room and board.

“One of my brothers moved out, thinking he could make it on his own. But he ended up moving back,” she recalled. “My parents charged him $6 per week — $3 more. The rest of us learned we better be more prepared before moving out.”

Aunt Jennie spoke about how telephone communications have changed during her lifetime. She and her late husband, Albert, first rented an apartment in Emmaus at $19 per month.

“There was only one telephone in the whole building that we all had to share.  Sometimes, there was a line of people waiting to use it. And now people have those cell phones they can carry with them,” Aunt Jennie said.

Albert and Jennie Williams were married more than 60 years. She still lives in their Emmaus house with her great niece Janelle Ackerman Yerkes and Janelle’s friend Clyde (Lenny) Leonard. According to Aunt Jennie, the house was built on what was once a field they purchased. 

“We picked the section we wanted and sold the rest in lots,” she said. Aunt Jennie could still recall the names of some of the original owners of the lots.

Aunt Jennie and Albert didn’t have any children, but there are lots of nieces and nephews — four generations of them. To some, Jennie is like a grandmother, but she is Aunt Jennie to all.

Many traveled to the to join in the festivities. She was entertained by a magician and a quartet of singers. And she didn’t have to worry about blowing out all the candles on her cake. Aunt Jennie got her wish when darkness fell — fireworks to celebrate her 100^th birthday!

“They were colorful and loud, but good,” she said with a big smile.

Happy Birthday Aunt Jennie! You are valuable to us all.