2011 was a banner year for Eugene and Elizabeth Singer of Huntington Beach and Palm Desert, Calif.
Their three milestone events began in June when Eugene celebrated his 90th birthday at their residence in Palm Desert.
His party was orchestrated by Tracy Singer Boulton, their oldest daughter.
Also contributing to the feast were family members Alexandra Singer Thorpe, Scott Thorpe, Lawrence Leverett Singer and Gregory and Julia Brown.
Tracy provided a turkey dinner with a three-layer chocolate cake.
The house was filled with birthday decorations and party favors.
After dinner, “Dad” word games, such as “What did Dad say when…?” and “What did Dad always say…?” provided much hilarity.
Early September, Gene and Liz celebrated their 70th wedding anniversary at their home in Huntington Harbor Bay Club, Huntington Beach, Calif., with a catered reception.
Those attending from out of town included both past and present residents of Dowagiac: Dr. and Mrs. John Waterson from El Cerrito, Calif., Mrs. Gale Jurgensen and daughter Krin Rodruiges from Dowagiac and Carolle Witko Chappell from Cathedral City, Calif.
Dr. John Waterson is the grandson of Dr. Roy Waterson, who practiced in Niles for many years, and the son of Bob Waterson, Dowagiac attorney.
Elizabeth is the former Betty Wooster, daughter of Lyell and Nita Wooster of Indiana Avenue.
She was born at home in Dowagiac in 1921. Following graduation from Central High School, she attended DePauw University for one year before transferring to University of Michigan. There, she met and married Eugene Singer of Cleveland, Ohio.
They were married in 1941 in the Federated Church, the Rev. Joseph Fox officiating. She continued to live in Dowagiac through the war years and for nine years after.
They have four children, all born at Lee Memorial Hospital.
Eugene was employed by James Heddon’s Sons and, during his tenure, assisted John Larkin, treasurer for the community fundraising event for the first major expansion of the hospital. He was also involved with the fundraising event to rebuild the Federated Church, which had burned. He served as chairman of the building committee during the early stages of construction of the present building. Eugene is a life member of Peninsular Lodge 10 of Dowagiac Masons. The Singer family moved to California in 1955.
Other out-of-town guests at their reception were Mr. and Mrs. Allan Litman from Mesquite, Nevada. Local friends and neighbors completed the party.
On Thanksgiving Day 2010, Mr. and Mrs. Scott Thorpe of Alta Loma, Calif., hosted a brunch in their home for Elizabeth’s 90th birthday. They decorated their house in a birthday theme, including a giant wall poster, “Happy 90th birthday, Liz.”
Those present were Tracy Singer Boulton, son Larry Singer, grandson Gregory and Julia Brown and grandson Jeffery and Aerin Singer from Portland, Ore.
This was a goodbye visit for Jeffrey and Aerin, as they moved to Australia, where they are both employed in the nursing profession.