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Adopt and present a resolution proclaiming the week of September 21-27, 2025, as Centenarian Week in Solano County, and Receive a video presentation
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Published Notice Required? Yes ____ No _X _
Public Hearing Required? Yes ____ No _X _
DEPARTMENTAL RECOMMENDATION:
Supervisors John M. Vasquez and Monica Brown recommend the Board of Supervisors adopt and present a resolution proclaiming the week of September 21-27, 2025, as Centenarian Week in Solano County, and receive a video presentation.
SUMMARY:
This year will mark the 19th Annual Centenarian Commemoration in Solano County. The Centenarian Commemoration is designed to honor and pay tribute to individuals who have reached 100 years of age or older.
FINANCIAL IMPACT:
The costs associated with preparing the agenda item are nominal and absorbed by the Department’s FY2025/26 Working Budget. The costs associated with preparation and purchase of the resolution materials are included in the Board’s FY2025/26 Working Budget.
DISCUSSION:
To date, the Board of Supervisors has honored more than 340 centenarians, the oldest of them, Reta Wills of Vallejo, who reached super-centenarian status of 110 years old in 2021.
According to the National Institute on Aging and ongoing studies such as the Boston University School of Medicine’s New England Centenarian Study, centenarians are remarkable examples of healthy aging. They come from diverse educational, socioeconomic, and cultural backgrounds and live in all parts of the world. Despite these differences, most centenarians share common traits linked to longevity and quality of life, including, but not limited to: they rarely smoke, they remain active and socially engaged, often continuing to work, volunteer, or contribute to family and community life well into advanced age; they maintain physical strength through regular activity, even simple daily movement; they follow balanced diets rich in plant-based foods and tend to have lower rates of obesity and they demonstrate resilience and strong coping skills in handling stress.
Research continues to show that genetics play an important role in longevity, accounting for roughly 20-30%, but environmental and lifestyle factors explain 70-80% of the variation in lifespan (National Institute on Aging, 2023). Women make up most centenarians (about 80-85%), while supercentenarians (those reaching age 110 or older) remain exceedingly rare, with U.S. estimates placing the number at fewer than 100 individuals nationwide (CDC, 2023).
Studies from the University of Georgia and other institutions highlight that contrary to stereotypes, many centenarians are not frail or institutionalized. In fact, up to one-quarter live independently, remain cognitively sharp, and are socially vibrant. For those who do require assistance, families provide most of the long-term care. The Administration for Community Living (2023) estimates that nearly 80% of elder care in the U.S. is provided informally at home, most often by women.
Centenarians consistently defy life expectancy projections by 15-20 years, offering insight into what it means to age with vitality, dignity, and self-respect. Their lives serve as models for both the science of aging and the values of resilience, connection, and purpose.
This year, as they have done for the past five years, the Solano County Board of Supervisors will host a virtual celebration, honoring Solano County’s most senior residents with a video presentation, followed up later with the delivery of a Centenarian yearbook and resolutions from the Board.
2025 Centenarians:
The following are the 2025 Solano County Centenarian honorees. These 51 individuals will be recognized by the Board, including:
From the City of Benicia
Helen Jacks, 102
From the City of Dixon
Lupe Cerna, 100
From the City of Fairfield
Jonnie Gibson, 99 (100 in November)
Mary Calderon, 99 (100 in November)
Josephine Seifert, 100
Millie Stressenger, 100
Rosa Cortes Manzo, 100
Maria Tavenier, 101
Marian Coles, 101
Farideh Amirkhizi, 104
From the City of Suisun City
Elizabeth Tate, 102
From the City of Vacaville
Virginia Herman, 100
Arlene Moore, 100
Charlie Dohs, 100
Eugene Lyons, 100
Jacoba Kovisto, 100
Lanelle “Corky” Matthews, 100
Lilia Abastillas, 100
Peggy Bassford Byrd, 100
Ara Yager, 100
Jean Falkowski, 100
Patricia Castro, 100
Evelyn Podojil, 101
Gloria Townsend, 101
Helen Louise Melvin, 101
Margaret White, 101
Mildred Velky, 101
Tillie Nicholas, 101
Dona Cecilia Nunez, 102
Helen Devlin, 102
Oakley Dexter, 102
Pearl Joe, 103
Shirley Helmich, 103
Virginia Ruth Plunkett, 103
Lt. General John F. Gonge, 103
Guadalupe Vidales, 104
From the City of Vallejo
Carmen Johnson, 99 (100 in December)
Elizabeth Thomas, 100
Emma Lee Woodson, 100
Leona Burns, 100
Luther Hendricks, 100
Regina T. Graves, 100
Ruth Mae Harris Love, 100
Shirley Ibey, 100
Dorothy Herger, 101
Irene Acuna, 101
Josephine Williams, 102
Virginia Mangabat, 103
Leona Young, 104
Adelina Diaz, 106
Solano County
Louis Mack Reese, Sr., 103
In Memoriam, honoring those who passed away in 2025
Lourdes Kenney, 102, Vacaville
Elena Hampton, 101, Vacaville
Tsuyako Grace Miyagishima, 101, Fairfield
Maria Mattos Duarte, 100, Vallejo
Calvin Hagler, 100, Vallejo
ALTERNATIVES:
The Board may choose not to adopt and present the resolution and receive the video; however, this is not recommended because centenarians have helped shape our nation as it is today. They hold the secrets to aging well and serve as a role model for quality of life for all ages.
CAO RECOMMENDATION:
APPROVE DEPARTMENTAL RECOMMENDATION