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Seeing triple

Three St. Columban’s residents turn the big 1-0-0

Submitted Photo. Three residents of St. Columban’s on the Lake celebrate their 100th birthdays with state Sen. Cathy Young. Pictured, from left: Home Administrator Sr. Corona Colleary, residents Vera Bell, Howard Bonhoff and Evelyn Martin and Sen. Young.

SHERIDAN — St. Columban’s on the Lake Retirement Home celebrated a milestone for three residents who are becoming centenarians.

The three honorees are all local community members who now reside at the retirement home near Silver Creek.

Born in 1916, Vera Bell, Howard Bonhoff and Evelyn Martin have witnessed 17 presidential inaugurations, welcomed new inventions like the car radio and jet engine, and witnessed the discovery of penicillin, the unraveling of school segregation and the fall of communism in Eastern Europe.

Vera Bell was born on Jan. 31 in Sheridan, where she married Norman Bell, had three boys and worked on their family farm. She also worked for many years as a secretary at the Dunkirk steel plant and later for a local doctor. She remains very active at St. Columban’s and continues to appreciate nature as an avid walker of the home’s grounds along the lake.

Howard Bonhoff was born in Cattaraugus on Dec. 12. As a young man, Howard served his country in World War II and later began a carpentry business called Bonhoff & Foster, where he became well-known for his talent. Howard and his late wife, Joyce, later lived in one of the homes he built and enjoyed a happy life together. The two were no strangers to St. Columban’s, as they volunteered for many years before Howard became a resident.

In his seven years as a resident, Howard has developed a reputation as an exceptional pinochle player.

Evelyn Martin, born Jan. 23, was also a long-time volunteer at St. Columban’s before becoming a resident for the last 10 years. Originally from Throop, Pennsylvania, she settled down with her husband and daughter in Silver Creek. Evelyn worked at Ludeman’s Department Store and then retired after 40 years as secretary for the Silver Creek Pennysaver.

Sr. Corona Colleary, administrator of St. Columban’s, said, “We are privileged to play a role in their life journey. Each of them is special and unique in their own way, and we are grateful to call them part of our family.”

Joining in the celebration was New York state Sen. Cathy Young, who presented all three centenarians with proclamations from the New York state Senate and the New York state Assembly. All three seniors received recognition from the President of the United States and Howard received a citation for his military service and a salute from Commander Dennis Mulkin of Sheridan VFW Post 6390. Music was provided for the event by Tom Gestwicki, a longtime volunteer of the home.

St. Columban’s on the Lake Retirement Home is celebrating its 46th anniversary of service to the Western New York community. As a mission of the Columban Sisters in the United States, the home provides care and assistive services to the elderly men and women of the local and surrounding communities.

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