Helen Lishing, a resident of the Gardens of Western Reserve in Streetsboro, was honored for her 103rd birthday with a Feb. 17 celebration hosted by her children. More than 20 family members, including her granddaughter and husband, Kathy and Jon Sherman of Cincinnati, convened for cake in the gathering room at the facility.
Mrs. Lishing's children are Helen and Joe Martukovich of Garfield Heights and William and Mary Lishing of Streetsboro. She has eight grandchildren, 14 great-grandchildren and two great-great-grandchildren.
Mrs. Lishing was born Feb. 21, 1905, to Frank and Catherine Stefan in Vukovar, Yugoslavia.
Her father's brother, Peter, had relocated to the Cleveland area from Yugoslavia previously, and encouraged his brother to join him. So her family, including her parents and her younger sister, Trezia, arrived at Ellis Island in 1909 when she was 4 years old.
They later joined other family members in the Cleveland area. The girls attended school and learned English.
Mrs. Lishing was once employed as a cashier at the May Co. department store in downtown Cleveland.
She was married Sept. 9, 1924, to Frank Lishing. He died March 26, 1997, and Mrs. Lishing relocated to the Streetsboro area to be near her children.
Her hobbies have included gardening and cooking.