Born on Jan. 15, 1924, Antoinette Duda was born and lived most of her life in Erie, Pennsylvania until moving to Jamestown to live with her daughter, Kathy Palmer, when she could no longer live on her own. Palmer said Duda worked her whole life, retiring from Erie Technological Products in 1977, and was very well known for her hobbies, which included going to the beach, baking and shopping.

“She was known for her baking,” Palmer said. “Everyone wanted her to bake something all of the time. Her hobbies were baking and shopping.”

Palmer added that Duda was very proud of her home and enjoyed having company over to cook for. These days, Palmer said Duda talks about the past a lot. Specifically, she is surprised by the changes in the world since she was younger, such as the price of groceries.

“She can’t believe the prices of groceries and things,” Palmer said. “The way prices have changed is crazy to her. She’s very alert and very in tune with things happening in the world.”

Antoinette Duda during her birthday celebration on Jan. 13.

Palmer said her mother talks a lot about how medical technology has changed as well. She is also an avid news watcher.

“Something else she tells us is that we will end up going to war,” Palmer said. “She watches the news a lot. She’s very in tune with the national news and can pretty much tell us the daily events in the news.”

Palmer said the family just recently celebrated Duda’s birthday on Jan. 13. It was a special celebration with Duda’s brother coming up from North Carolina and many family members from Erie making the trip.

Duda is also a cancer survivor and one of 11 children. She is the mother of two — Palmer and her brother, John Duda –, a grandmother to three and a great grandmother of seven.

Palmer said someone living to 100 years old is something to celebrate.

“I think it’s important to not just me but everyone that someone can live for 100 years,” Palmer said. “She is the first person I know that has turned 100. It’s amazing that someone can survive 100 years.”

Palmer added that Duda has dedicated her life to taking care of her family, and that the family is very blessed to have her.

“She has added so much color and light to all of her family and friend’s lives,” Palmer said. “We are all so blessed to have such an amazing teacher for all of these years.”