Rita Huttie celebrated her 100th birthday May 10. She has been a resident of Sacred Heart Senior Living-Waters Edge since April 2022.

Rita pushes her walker to the Creekside Cafe for lunch and dinner. Her favorite meal is string beans and ham, and she loves her coffee. Rita is always looking for something sweet to eat.

Every afternoon, besides taking a nap, Rita looks forward to playing Scrabble with anyone who will play. She enjoys playing cards such as Pinochle, which she learned at the age of 7. She loves reading and watching television.

Rite grew up in Allentown near Gordon Street, between Sixth and Seventh streets. She had two sisters, Loretta and Eleanor. Rita was the youngest.

“I was afraid to turn 83 years old because both my mom and sister passed away at the age of 83 - but here I am,” Rita said.

Rita was married to the late Eugene Huttie Sr. for 65 years. They lived in the area of Emmaus Avenue for 40 years.

She worked as a crossing guard for 15 years.

Rita has four sons, Eugene, David, Mark and Tom, who love her dearly and visit her often. She has five grandsons, two granddaughters, five great-grandsons and three great-granddaughters. Family is everything to her, she said.

Her family gathered at the Columbian Home in Allentown to celebrate her 100th birthday, and she could not stop talking about it for days. She was so happy to have all her family together.

Her friends at Waters Edge find her cheerful and very friendly. Sometimes, you will find her outside on the rocking chairs socializing.

“The Lord has ways of watching over us all,” Rita said.

The world has changed a lot since her early days, but she continues to keep her faith and takes one day at a time.