Four generations celebrate Grandma’s 100th birthday

By Keri Lunt
Staff Writer
Published on Sunday, November 2, 2008 4:14 PM MST

A lifetime of work, laughter and love was celebrated Sept. 21 in honor of Francisca Alva’s 100th birthday.

Alva was born in Morenci in 1908 and grew up in “Mexican Town,” a community of about 12 houses located where the old Thatcher High School sits today.

“(Life back then) was so different from now,” Alva said.

Francisca Alva celebrated her 100th birthday Sept. 21 surrounded by friends and family at the San Jose Lodge. Contributed photo

Her father was a poor farmer, and she and her three brothers helped him in the fields while growing up.

At age 17, she married Juan Alva, and they had 10 children: five boys and five girls. She also raised four of her grandsons.

She attributes her health and old age to the fact that she has been working all of her life. While raising her family, she picked and hoed cotton, cleaned houses, worked in a laundromat and babysat neighborhood children.

Alva remembered babysitting for one of the neighborhood families, the Hughes, for three generations. She babysat Sheriff Frank Hughes’ father, Hughes and his children. The families are still friends.

While growing up, Alva said there was no television, telephone, electric stove or running water. “It was terrible, but we didn’t notice,” she said.

“I appreciate that God let me have so many years,” Alva said.

Her eyes don’t work well, she said, and she can’t crochet, sew or embroider anymore, but she still cooks and cleans for herself.

Her birthday was celebrated at the San Jose Lodge. Family and friends from Alaska, Colorado and California traveled to attend the party. Alva said the party was filled with “so many people,” food, cake and friends.

Print this story Email this story Post A Comment

Comments

1 comment(s)

Great Story wrote on Nov 5, 2008 8:20 AM:

" This is a great story about a very great lady and her family. They should right a book about the family history. "

WRITE A COMMENT

READER COMMENTS
* Be respectful of others, the writer and the subjects in the story.

* Be relevant. Keep your comments pertinent to the story that is being discussed.

Comment posters are responsible for the opinions they express and the accuracy of the information they provide. We urge comment writers to treat this as a public forum where manners matter. We encourage a collegial, non-insulting tone. All reader comments must be approved by our staff before posting to the Web site. Be aware, in accordance with the Communications Decency Act and provisions upheld in judicial appeal, that you are responsible for comments posted on this Web site. The Eastern Arizona Courier is not liable for messages from third parties. IP addresses can be subpoenaed and your identity established by individuals who have been hurt by your comments.

DO NOT POST:
* Potentially libelous statements or damaging innuendo.
* Obscene, explicit, or racist language.
* Personal attacks, insults or threats.
* The use of another person's real name to disguise your identity: You can be prosecuted for identity theft.
* Comments unrelated to the story.

Opinions, advice and all other information expressed in www.eacourier.com reader comments represent the individual's own views and not those of the Eastern Arizona Courier. The Courier does not endorse and is not responsible for statements, advice or opinions offered by anyone other than Eastern Arizona Courier spokespersons.

Thank you for your comments!