Area woman will celebrate 103rd birthday

From staff reports

H. Josephine Beach, a resident of the Oil City Healthcare and Rehabilitation Center, will celebrate her 103rd birthday Saturday.

H. Josephine Beach

She was born in Greenwood, and her parents were Hiram Edison and Edna Viola Irwin.

The family relocated to Franklin, where she grew up with her two older sisters.

Beach graduated from Franklin High School. She loved school and participated in many activities, especially school plays.

She married Chester B. Beach in 1939, and together they had two daughters, Carol Lee (Embent) DeLong of Oil City and Penny Jo (Jan Edward) Valeski of Tucson, Arizona.

Beach has two deceased and three living grandchildren, as well as 10 great-grandchildren.

She was a loving wife and mother and was also manager of the Seventh Street Elementary School cafeteria for many years.

She was very active in First Baptist Church and is the oldest and longest-standing member of the church.

After Beach and her husband retired, they enjoyed traveling and spending winters in Florida. Chester Beach died in February 2002.

Beach has made the staff and residents at the Oil City Healthcare and Rehabilitation Center her second family. They have all enjoyed her sense of humor and quick wit.

Cards or notes of birthday wishes can be sent to Beach at Oil City Healthcare and Rehabilitation Center, 1293 Grandview Road, Oil City, 16301.