A large gathering of family and friends at the West Catasauqua Playground social hall greeted Betty Duffy, of Whitehall, Sept. 6 to celebrate her 100th birthday. It was a magnificent, joy-filled day to honor their relative and friend.

Betty was born Sept. 7, 1926, at the family’s home near Reading. She was one of three children. Her only brother was killed in action during World War II. She graduated from Penn Bern High School in 1944 with five other graduating students.

As a young girl, Betty worked in a shoe factory and was later employed by the American Casualty Insurance Company.

Betty married Stanley Kissling and they had a daughter, Lana.

Stanley died in a truck accident when Lana was just 18 months old.

She found love again and married Daniel Duffy, and they had a daughter, Eileen.

The family moved to Fullerton in 1957 and has resided there to this day.

Betty had a number of jobs, but her favorite work role was as a nursing assistant at Sacred Heart Hospital for 10 years.

She was a loyal volunteer for Meals on Wheels of the Greater Lehigh Valley since the program began in 1971. At times, she still rides with her daughter on Meals on Wheels food deliveries. She also volunteered at the Whitehall Food Pantry.

Her spirit of volunteerism led to a number of awards, one of which is the Unsung Hero Award in 2014, given by Lehigh County Aging and Adult Services. She served as president of the women’s auxiliary of the Fullerton American Legion Post 367, treasurer of the Whitehall Woman’s Club and treasurer of the Whitehall Active Community Center.

At St. John’s Evangelical Lutheran Church of Whitehall, Betty was a Sunday school teacher, assisting minister and Eucharistic minister and took part in the Altar Guild and Chancel Choir. She was also a Girl Scout leader.

Betty enjoys the outdoors, taking care of flowers and a vegetable garden.

Indoors, Betty is an avid Phillies, Eagles and IronPigs fan.

Betty donated 15 gallons of blood at the Miller-Keystone Blood Center. After losing her brother in the war, Betty felt donating blood would be her small part for the war effort.

With daughters Lana and Eileen, grandchildren Stan and Rich and great-grandchildren Kelsey and Korey, Betty feels blessed.

When asked what the secret is for her longevity, she always replies, “Chocolate.”

The party began outside as attendees assembled at West Catasauqua Park, 2301 Pine St., Whitehall Township, to socialize and reconnect in anticipation of a special birthday party.

The hall was nicely decorated to celebrate the birthday and full of hunger-inducing aromas from a variety of foods prepared for the attendees. There was much friendly banter throughout the crowd.

The fun began when Betty was introduced and walked up to the celebration cakes and table setup that included a large number 100 made out of balloons and neatly arranged cupcakes. The approximate 100 or so revelers sang a robust rendition of the birthday song.

Betty smiled and gave a hearty wave to her relatives and friends at the end of the song.

Betty took things into her own hands as she cut the first row of birthday cake for the partygoers.

The well-planned gathering was arranged by a team of family and friends. Lana Snyder, Betty’s daughter, was delighted with the birthday party fun.

Betty mingled with and received accolades from those present.

It was a heartwarming event on a significant day during a milestone year that was enjoyed by all ages of those present.