Longtime Kings County resident Mary Neves celebrates her 100th birthday on April 26

According to grandson Joe, Mary had a dream of turning 100 years old and he dream came true as she celebrated with family, friends and staff on Saturday. Neves was also very proud of the fact that she was presented with a belated high school diploma from Lemoore High School during the 110th LHS All Classes Reunion.

Mary has spent most of her life, which is considerable, in Stratford. She was born in Corcoran and attended Stratford Elementary School and attended one year at Lemoore High School. While she may not have finished high school, she did attend night school to earn her GED.

Mary kept an active life. She was a 4H leader, taught classes for the Catholic Church and worked as a cook for the Head Start program. She also served as a precinct worker for the Kings County Department of Elections.

Mary is also the first generation of her family born in the United States. Her father, Antonio Coelho was born in 1879 and passed away in 1945. Her mother, Maria Martin Coelho was born in 1880 and passed away in 1961.

Mary married Manuel B. Neves in 1933. Manuel passed away in 1989. They had one son, Manuel Neves Jr. in 1937 and he passed away in 2003. Mary has two grandchildren, Joe Neves and Regina Avina of Lemoore. Betty Fabela of Hanford is a niece along with three nephews in Idaho. Mary also has seven great grandchildren and a couple of great-great grandchildren.

Mary is often remembered for her baby-sitting chores for other families in the Stratford area as well as her help in immigrants obtaining citizenship status by mentoring families. Mary is also known as Aunt Mary to many people in the community. She wasn't related but more or less became part of many families through her love and friendship.