Waitsburg Graduate Turns 100

Gwendolyn L. White was born on Flag Day, June 14, 1913 to Charles M Leid and Rosetta Maude Hawks Leid in Huntsville, Washington. She grew up in Huntsville and went to grade school there. Gwendolyn recalls riding her little pony to school that, by the end of the day, got himself untied and went home without her

Gwen graduated from Waitsburg High School in 1932 and went on to music school, becoming a Concert Pianist. She continues at this age to play the piano for people every day.

She married Francis Thomas White in 1942 and had three children: Kevin White, Mary Lou Hendricks and Gregory White. Gwen has 3 granddaughters; Joetta Preece, Denise Lester and Darel Williams and five great grandchildren; Seth, Evan, Gwendolyn Grace (her namesake), Jesse and David. Gwen lived in Portland all of her adult life and when her husband died in 1988 continued to live alone until she was 95. At that time she moved to Southern Califor- nia to live with her daughter, Mary Lou and son-in-law Richard Hendricks.

She is indeed a National Treasure as so indicated by the Alzheimer Association which she attends three days a week.

Gwen celebrated her 100th birthday at a celebration with friends and family in Long Beach, California on June 15.