Nov 16, 2003 By Jenny Susa 3 min read

The family of Manila Prosser celebrated a momentous occasion recently, as she turned 105 years old. The Mon Valley Care Center, where she resides, hosted a party for her, and everyone in the home got to have some birthday cake.

That weekend, Manila’s son William Prosser said, Frank LaVelle, an entertainer from Pittsburgh, visited the home to put on a show for the residents there.

“He gives out different instruments and sings along with them and dances with them in their wheelchairs,” William Prosser said.

Although Manila’s memory is not as good as it used to be, she seemed to fondly remember dancing with LaVelle.

Her daughter, Betty Bernhagen, said that Manila does not remember much of her past and for many years, she was a very quiet person.

“She had brain surgery in 1961, and then she became very outgoing,” said Bernhagen. “People have always taken to her very well.”

Bernhagen said that Manila has always been a great mother to her children: William, Mildred, Betty and Odella, who is deceased.

“She has been a wonderful mother,” said Bernhagen. “We certainly are impressed with her. She’s still quite a character.”

As Manila has lived through the turn of two centuries, she has been blessed with four children, 10 grandchildren, 15 great-grandchildren and 10 great-great-grandchildren.

Her daughter Mildred Teasdale, was active in her younger years and remains a Pittsburgh Steelers fan.

“She and her grandmother loved to quilt when she was younger,” said Teasdale. “And she and my father liked to go to sports games. They attended football, basketball and hockey games, and she still watches them on television.”

Teasdale said her mother is a member of the First Christian Church in Brownsville and was part of the Christian Women’s Fellowship.

William and Mary Lou, Manila’s daughter-in-law, said that she always enjoyed going to church, and so they were grateful for the Sunday services held at the Mon Valley Care Center.

William said his mother still worries about her hair and loves getting it done once a week by the nursing home staff. She also enjoys it when Mary Lou and William do her nails for her.

“She has to have her nails painted,” said William.

Although Manila can’t say much about what she did in the past, she knows what she wants right now.

“I just like to be comfortable and to stay warm,” she said. “And if I want anything done I just tell them about it.”

She is still in good health for 105 years of age, and has little to complain about except the aches and pains that inevitably come with old age.

“I feel pretty good,” she said.

Her family said they are glad to have her around.

“I’m 80 years old myself,” said Teasdale. “Not many 80-year-olds still get to visit their mother three times a week.”