While the United States of America celebrates it semiquincentennial, a Moravian Village of Bethlehem resident received recognition for hitting her own centennial milestone by the Pennsylvania State Legislature Sept. 15.

Born July 13, 1926 in the Bronx, New York City, Vivian Fishbone was honored with a citation celebrating her longevity and life’s accomplishments by state rep Steve Samuelson (D) in the retirement center’s comfortable game room at 634 E. Broad St., Bethlehem. Her adult son Daniel Fishbone, Samuelson’s aid Cheryl Baker, and Fishbone’s Moravian Village caretakers were in attendance.

“I was always infatuated with health, healing and that sort of thing,” says Fishbone who never smoked but enjoyed an occasional glass of wine.

“I would call you a Renaissance woman,” declared Samuelson during the presentation.

“Ms. Fishbone has demonstrated the highest ideals of citizenship throughout the years and truly deserves special recognition,” stated Samuelson as he read the citation.

“She graduated from Skidmore College and began her career in the laboratory at Jefferson Medical College. Ms. Fishbone aided in the development of’ the first heart-lung machine and later taught in the Easton Area School District. After her retirement from teaching, she focused on her passion for art and became a prolific and well-known artist in the Lehigh Valley, focusing on painting, realism, abstraction, digital printing and the encaustic wax process. Ms. Fishbone is the proud mother of two children and also has been blessed with three stepchildren and many grandchildren and great-grandchildren,” Samuelson continued.

A resident of State College, Daniel Fishbone informed his state rep from Clearfield County about his mom’s milestone. His sister Susan Zeeman Rogers assisted with a photo collage tracing their mom’s life which included a photograph of their late father, Herbert Fishbone.

Coming into the world during President Calvin Coolidge’s administration, Fishbone has seen a long line of presidents rotate through the White House. When asked about the current resident at 1600 Pennsylvania Ave., she replies, “Worst ever!”

“She’s feisty,” remarks caregiver companion Cathy Hayduk who has been with Moravian Village for 20 years.

Passionate about art from childhood, Fishbone was active in the Lehigh Valley Arts Council, Lehigh Art Alliance and New Arts Program, among other arts organizations. Around 20 of Fishbone’s donated works can be found on display throughout the Moravian Village campus. A large number of her paintings had been sold at auction to benefit Moravian Village.

The notable researcher and artist is listed in “Who’s Who of American Women.”

The citation was co-sponsored by Samuelson and state rep Dallas Kephart (R), and signed by PA Speaker of the House Joanna E. McClinton (D).