Jun 29, 2017 By Mitchell Kendra for The 2 min read

Valeria Tuskan of Uniontown recently celebrated her 100th birthday.

Tuskan was born July 1, 1917, and celebrated her 100th birthday with family, friends and neighbors who gathered at her home. Tuskan’s nieces and great-nieces from Virginia and Michigan also made the trip to visit and celebrate.

Tuskan always liked to cook and bake, according to her daughter Barbara, who believes it’s just the way her mother was raised. Cooking for her family and friends as often as possible, Barbara recalls everyone was always fed and said “no one left the house unless they eat.”

Barbara said her mother always wanted people to leave their house feeling “full and satisfied.” Tuskan’s specialty was apple strudels, which she would pass around to her neighbors.

Now, Tuskan spends the majority of her time relaxing alongside her part-Chihuahua, Princess. Tuskan’s grandson originally brought Princess home, but after taking to Tuskan, Princess has become her dog. Barbara said that Princess keeps her mother company and knows when she isn’t feeling well.

Tuskan worked at the Berkowitz Shirt Factory, which is no longer is business, for nearly 40 years.

Tuskan is a daughter of the late Pete and Martha Costenic and was born and remained in Uniontown throughout her entire life. She married her husband, Joseph Tuskan, in July 1939.

The Tuskans have two children, including Barbara and Marlene Reynolds of Uniontown. She has three grandchildren: Gary Reynolds of Uniontown, Traci Mihalik of Monessen and Jeff Reynolds of Ohio.