It was six months before the first airplane flew, Theodore Roosevelt was president, and Bernice Kosecki was born. It was June 17, 1903.
Now, fast forward 105 years, and airplanes are commonplace, Roosevelt is a name in our history books, and Kosecki celebrates her birthday with her friends and family at the Lake Orion Nursing Center.
Kosecki was born in Pennsylvania, one of 11 children. She is the last surviving one since her younger sister passed away last year at the age of 96.
According to her son, Jack, she first came to Detroit to work as a housekeeper when she was in her 20s, and got married to her husband, John. He passed away in 1958.
The couple had two children, twins Jack and Joanne, and Kosecki now has five grandchildren and 10 great-grandchildren.
Jack said his mother first came to Lake Orion Nursing Center a year ago, and her health continues to improve as she stays there.
Kosecki credits her long life to not smoking, drinking or seeing doctors.
‘She always used to say, ‘don’t go to the doctors, they just take your money,?? Jack said. ‘She also refuses to get a flu shot,? he added. ‘That was a fight forever. We finally gave up.?
Kosecki enjoys watching and socializing with people and keeping as active as possible, said daughter-in-law, Joan.
‘The more she can visit with friends and be active, the happier she is,? Joan added, describing her mother-in-law as very ‘personable.?
In her younger years, she also enjoyed dancing, and her family laughed at the memory of her doing the polka and chicken dance at 90-years-old.
Kosecki celebrated her many years of happy memories with members of her family, the staff and the residents at Lake Orion Nursing Center, where the group enjoyed cake, ice cream and a special visit from Elmo.