At first glance, one might think North Catasauqua resident Ellen Schuck-Lynch is in her 70s.

She is, in fact, a bit older than that.

On July 19, she celebrated her 101st birthday, surrounded by loved ones.

Friends celebrated the momentous occasion July 18 by taking Schuck-Lynch out to her favorite restaurant, the Old Country Buffet, Whitehall.

Schuck-Lynch was born July 19, 1913, in Slatington. She moved into the Catasauqua area in the late 1940s. In the 1961, she married her husband, now deceased.

Friends believe she is one of the oldest living residents of the Catasauqua area.

According to Schuck-Lynch, her secret to living so long is simple.

"Good food and hard work," she said.

Schuck-Lynch said genetics may have played a role in her long life as well.

"My grandparents were in their 80s and my parents in their 70s," she said.

She said for many years she worked as a bank teller at the former First National Bank of Catasauqua. She retired after 36 years of service with the bank.

Although she no longer drives a vehicle, Schuck-Lynch continues to keep busy.

"I read, prepare meals and clean up," she said.

She has outlived every member of her family, including four brothers, two sisters, nieces and nephews.

While her family is gone and only she remains, she has a battalion of friends who love and support her.

"It's wonderful, it's simply amazing," she said of those who threw the birthday party for her.

Friends who know here well, expect her to be around for next year's birthday bash. They are sure to be celebrating at the Old Country Buffet.