Community Corner
Orinda Seniors Feted at Three-Quarter Century Club Luncheon
For the 12th consecutive year, residents aged 75 and over were saluted at Orinda Community Church.
Some 130 seniors residing in Orinda gathered at Orinda Community Church Wednesday for a catered luncheon in their honor. Some of Orinda's best were singled out for milestone celebrations and collective contributions as citizens.
As it has been since its inception in 2000, the event was emceed by John Fazel, himself a longtime resident of Orinda and an associate with Better Homes & Gardens/Mason McDuffie real estate, who co-sponsored the event with Lamorinda Sunrise Rotary Club, of which Fazel is a past president. He was assisted by more than 30 volunteers representing the two organizations.
Milestone awards were presented in several categories: King (eldest man present), Queen (eldest woman), Baby (individual who most recently turned 75) and couple married the longest.
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Proclaimed King and Queen were, respectively, Thomas Deahl and Molly Gravelle, both 96. Deahl and his wife, Aileen, also garnered the award for wedded longevity. They tied the knot in 1941. Saluted as Baby was Ron Loos, who turned 75 on May 31.
Featured guest speakers were a trio of women who served in World War II as WASPs (Women Airforce Service Pilots), Betty Budde, A.J. Starr and Maggie Gee. Each regaled the audience with tales of their days flying B-26s and B-29s. The WASPS numbered about 1,000. They and their female compatriots forever changed the role of women in military aviation.
