Centenarians at Corinthian House

Celebrating the life long voyage of individuals who at the start of their lives could be known only to those within a days horse ride, and now can be known anywhere on planet earth that this internet page reaches.

We have been blessed to have known four residents remain active and reach the milestone age of 100 since Corinthian House was opened in 1981.

Gene Thompson	June 27 1988
Marion Gifford	January 31, 1996
Tillie Poortstra	April 23, 1998
Elenore Weber	April 12, 2004

Gene Thompson

Born June 27 1888 in Manson, Iowa Turned 100 at Corinthian House in Campbell California in 1988.
	Gene spent much of his life in the upper Midwest and the Northwest: Gene grew up as one of nine children on family farms, first in Iowa and then in Minnesota, where he had to quit grade school to help out. Gene helped with his fathers Cattle Buying business traveling originally by horse and buggy/wagon and later by automobile. He married Hazel Clair Campbell in December of 1910 and they lived together 55 years until her passing. Gene left the agriculture business for the Grocery Business, operating and innovating in his own stores first in Minnesota and then in Oregon and Washington states. He originated many practices widely used by others in the business. After years in the Grocery business, Gene took up Carpentry and Cabinet work.
Currently Gene is still very active: He plays a mean game of Bridge! He is active in doing handiwork including needlepoint He recently appeared on a local (San Jose, CA) TV Cooking Show He plans a trip to Hawaii as part of his 100th Birthday Celebration.
Poem in Tribute to Gene Congratulations Gene Son of a cattleman and sheepraiser, too, Our Gene always has a whole lot to do. Gave up his schooling to help with the farm; Worked very hard -- but it did him no harm. Took buying and selling trips with his dad In a buggy or wagon -- good weather or bad. But then when the automobile came about, His folks bought one of the first to come out. He ran grocery stores for much of his life And had 55 hears with Hazel, his wife; But when he retired, didn't drive her berserk-- He just took up carpentry and cabinet work. He's still up and at it: He loves to play bridge; He cooks in his kitchen, keeps tabs on the fridge. His hobbies are legion, his needlepoint's renowned. We can't keep him down with his feet on the ground, For he's soon headed west for the 50th state. You really inspire us; Gene, you're just great! by: Barbara Johnson, Corinthian House Board of Directors.
Happy 100 Gene!
Gene resting up at home in his apartment after it was all over. Rest well Gene, you have earned it. Gene's 100th Birthday was recognized by: Rev Richard Corsen of 1st United Methodist Church Ronald Reagan, President of the United States US Senator Pete Wilson US Congressman Norm Mineta State Senator Dan McCorquodale State Assemblyman Charles Quakenbush Campbell, CA, Councilman Mike Kotowski Campbell, CA, Chief of Police, James A Cost Campbell, CA, Fire Chief, Gary Smith Campbell, CA, Chamber of Commerce Executive Vice President, Roxane Provence

Marion Gifford

Born January 31 1896

Lived at Corinthian House for many years up to 1995 before moving to another residence

We visited her at her new home and attended her 100 year ceremony.

Tillie Poortstra

Born April 23, 1898 in Paterson, New Jersey
Turned 100 at Corinthian House in Campbell California, so we had a party!

Tillie moved around a bit:
At four years of age to Alabama, at twelve years of age back to New Jersey, spent three months in Europe and to New York State in her mid 20's. Finally in 1984, Tillie moved to Corinthian House. Along the voyage she experienced a lot of professions:

Bookkeeper
Textile worker in Silk Factory
Cook on a farm
Hardware Store Sales Person
Chicken Farmer
Fuller Brush Sales Person
Avon Producs Sales Person
Cook in a High School

Tillie has been an active resident of Corinthian House since 1984, writing for our newsletters and other publications. She has family close by and closer than that she has lots of friends at Corinthian House. We love her dearly!

Happy Birthday Tillie!

The following Recognized Tillie's Big Day:

Mayor of Paterson, NJ

Governor of California, Pete Wilson

President of the United States, Bill Clinton

The Previous Administrator, Esko Kotkas and his wife Lia

The Town of Paterson NJ by Resolution

Willard Scott, NBC Weatherman

Front Page Article in Campbell CA Express

Elenore Weber

Born April 12, 1904 in Fresno, California of Danish immigrant parents
Elenore is 5th in age of nine brothers and sisters. One younger brother is still living at Elenore's 100th Birthday
Elenore became a resident of Corinthian House in February 1999 at age 95.

Elenore standing at a tree at Corinthian House

Elenore is very active walking eight blocks to the Campbell Senior Center to play bridge or bingo
Until 10 years ago Elenore regularily rode her bicycle to go shopping
In her early teens she swam across Huntington Lake
While working at PG&E she entered a company tennis tournament with no prior tennis experience. Using an old racket with a broken string, she won the tournament.
At age 97 she rode a jet ski

Elenore has two daughters, Emily and Lorraine, that live nearby and one son, Irv that lives in Avery, California
She first married in 1935 to Irvin "Doc" Jacobsen and was married to him until he passed in 1968. She then married a high school sweetheart, Russell Weber.
After Russell passed on, Elenore got very active with bridge.