Helen Rodkey Spokane Valley

Helen Elizabeth (Piper) Rodkey, Spokane Valley, is 100 years old today.

Born Oct. 27, 1895, in Irving, Kan., she married her high school sweetheart, J.V. Rodkey, in 1916, and moved to Limon, Colo. They moved to Post Falls in 1934.

Mr. Rodkey died in 1971.

Mrs. Rodkey taught school in Kansas and Post Falls. She also taught piano and served as pianist and organist in churches wherever she lived in Kansas, Colorado and Idaho.

She is a member of Post Falls’ Community Presbyterian Church.

She has six children: Grant V. Rodkey, Boston; F. Lee Rodkey, Chesterton, Md.; John P. Rodkey and Kathryn A. Russell, both of Spokane; George W. Rodkey, Post Falls; and Helen Elizabeth McNeal, Pullman.

She has 21 grandchildren, 45 great-grandchildren, and two great-great-grandchildren.

Mrs. Rodkey, who lives in the Valley’s Brighton Court, has helped her four sons celebrate their 50th wedding anniversaries within the last three years.

When asked what she attributes her longevity to, she replied, “a deep faith, a loving family, and keeping an active mind.”

A reception is planned for Mrs. Rodkey at Brighton Court tomorrow.

, DataTimes ILLUSTRATION: Photo