Family members, friends and residents gathered Feb. 17 for a party in Crest Hall at Luther Crest retirement community, South Whitehall Township, to celebrate Ruth Yeo’s 105th birthday.

Ruth, who married Dr. John Wendell Yeo in l940, was born Feb. 18, 1912, in Boyertown.

The daughter of the late Thomas and Elizabeth Gabel of Boyertown, her father was vice president of the Boyertown Casket Company.

Her mother was a homemaker.

Ruth, who moved to Luther Crest July 28, 1994, and her late husband had three children, Larry who lives in Kansas City, Mo., Barbara in San Francisco, Calif., and David in Lebanon, Conn.

Prior to the party, Ruth addressed the birthday gathering.

“How wonderful of you all to come here,” she said. “I appreciate your presence here.”

During the party, Luther Crest Hymn Sing group sang several of Yeo’s favorite hymns, “A Mighty Fortress is Our God,” “How Great Thou Art,” “In the Garden,” “My Faith Looks up to Thee,” and “O God Our Help in Ages Past.”

During the performance, birthday cake, coffee and punch were enjoyed by Ruth and all the well-wishers at her party.

Luther Crest residents Marion Phillips, Joan Baumer and Carolyn Volk also performed a six-handed musical piece on the piano in honor of the video of Ruth and her sisters performing a six-handed piano Christmas concert at Luther Crest in 1995.

Ruth, who came from a family who loved music said she enjoys classical music and loves hymns, but does not like Rock ’n’ Roll.

She played the piano, cello and clarinet, her sister May played the harp, trumpet and piano, Betty played the violin and flute, Elsie played the violin and piano and her mother also played the violin.

Her father did not play any musical instruments.

She and her sisters learned how to play six-handed piano at age 8 and they played for churches, ladies groups and gave concerts throughout their lives.

“Her hobbies centered around music: singing in choirs; putting on family, church and neighborhood concerts; arranging and playing six- and eight hands-on-the-piano with her three other sisters,” son David said.

Ruth was also presented with a citation from state Rep. Zachary Mako, R-183rd, on behalf of the state House.

She and some of her family members spoke with The Press during the party.

Ruth was asked the secret to her long life.

“I have always been healthy and walking, walking, walking, around the grounds at Luther Crest [helped.]”

She also said her faith in God is very important and a central part of her life.

Her favorite activity is being outside, feeling the sunshine on her face, listening to the birds and breathing in the fresh air.

David said his mom did a lot of entertaining in the home, and gave support to many foreign students.

“After dad died and moving to Pennsylvania in l983, mom did a lot of volunteer work [at the] thrift shop, elementary schools, church office, Crop Walks, bloodmobiles, etc., David said. “Mom loves ... she loved her family, church, and Savior.

“She was very caring and giving with family, friends and everyone.”

“Family meant and means everything to her. Our family remains very close.”

Nancy Black, Ruth’s niece from Liverpool, N.Y., said Ruth was the one who initiated their family reunions.

“Our first one was on the farm in Boyertown,” she said.

Ruth’s sisters and one brother, Kenneth, are all now deceased.

She graduated from Boyertown High School and she and all her sisters attended Hood College, Frederick, Md.

She majored in music education and earned a Bachelor of Arts degree in 1933 and then a Master of Arts degree in music from New York University.

Ruth, who taught high school in Oley, also taught at New Haven State Teachers’ College.

She moved to The Lakes apartments, Allentown, in 1983 from Boston after her husband, who was the dean and then vice-president of Boston University passed away in l981.

Jen Laury, community life director with Luther Crest retirement community, also spoke with The Press about Ruth.

“Ruth is well known at Luther Crest and beloved by her family, friends and the staff,” Laury said.

Laury said Ruth first lived in their independent living apartments, where two of her sisters also resided.

“She eventually moved into the Personal Care Unit where she resided for seven years, before moving to our Health Care Center in 2012,” Laury said. “Ruth is an inspiration to everyone.”

Ruth has been a member of Asbury United Methodist Church, South Whitehall, since moving to Allentown.

She has six grandchildren and five great- grandchildren.