Patriotism and service defines centenarian’s life
ZELIENOPLE — Imagine being so busy at age 100 that you have to choose between two special events on how to spend your birthday. That’s the dilemma facing Joan Gill of Zelienople, who will become a centenarian on June 14, Flag Day.
Patriotic holidays are important to Joan, not only because Flag Day is her birthday but also because she became a naturalized American citizen in 1954 on Armistice Day, Nov. 11, which marked the end of fighting between Germany and the Allies in World War I.
Patriotism — and service — have been an integral part of her long life. She now lives at the Passavant Community in Zelienople. Before moving there 13 years ago, she lived in Butler.
The retirement center is hosting a special Flag Day Dinner at the same time she usually attends Butler County’s National Alliance on Mental Illness (NAMI) Family Support Group meeting at the center. Joan was instrumental in bringing the monthly meetings to Passavant and has been deeply involved in NAMI Butler for decades, ever since her two sons were diagnosed with schizophrenia after returning from military service in Vietnam.
“I’d hate to miss support group,” Joan said. “Maybe they can box my dinner and I can eat it later.”
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