MOUNT CARMEL - Lulu Roberts, a resident of Mount Carmel Senior Living Community, is celebrating her 100th birthday today.
Lulu was born Aug. 12, 1911, in Chambersburg. She is a daughter of Menaris and Hazel Leisher. Roberts and her two sisters grew up working in their father's dairy, helping with bottling and delivering milk. She took piano lessons, but admits she was "never much of a pianist." After graduating from Chambersburg High School in 1928, Lulu worked as a secretary for a local company, typing and taking dictation. During these years she enjoyed going to dances with friends. It was at one of those dances that she met her future husband, George Roberts.
They secretly married Aug. 22, 1934. They set up housekeeping in Johnstown, where George worked at Bethlehem Steel. Lulu loved being a homemaker, and the couple raised four daughters. She was an avid reader and enjoyed playing pinochle and bowling with friends.
Lulu and George retired to St. Petersburg, Fla, in 1971. George passed away in 1989. Lulu eventually moved to Kulpmont where she lived with her daughter, Mary Quinn, for eight years prior to becoming a resident of Mount Carmel Senior Living Community in 2006.
Lulu has eight grandchildren, 15 great-grandchildren, a great-great-granddaughter and 44 nieces and nephews, including Chief Justice of the U.S. Supreme Court John G. Roberts.
Lulu's faithfulness to God and family along with a humble attitude and loving spirit has been inspirational for all who know her. On her 100th birthday, she said she is looking forward to presents, ice cream, cake and a "good cold beer."