FAMILY CELEBRATION OVER A CENTURY IN THE MAKING
LAKE COUNTY >> It was the party of a century for a Lake County family celebrating Rose Vierra, 107, and Bobbie Totorica, 87, surrounded by family and friends. Five generations of family were in attendance.
Vierra celebrated, living by the advice she's given others for years, “Eat whatever you want and drink lots of wine with every meal.”
Eat cake they did — a large white cake with fudge filling.
It was a mother/daughter birthday celebration of epic proportions at Lakeport Post Acute Medical Facility on Craig Street in Lakeport on Sunday. The mother and daughter both reside there.
The event took place outdoors as a result of pandemic restrictions from 2 to 3:30 p.m.
Vierra wasn't alone being in the 100s. It was balmy day in the triple digits, but both women were full of smiles, laughter and gratitude for the company of nearly a dozen family members.
“My mom (Bobbie, 87) was really happy and thankful everyone came. My grandmother (Rose, 107) was excited to see everyone who came, but the heat was getting to her, so she couldn't stay outside too long,” Robin Totorica said. “They were both repeating over and over `thank you for coming' and that `it's great to see everyone.'”
Vierra was born July 25, 1915. She had two daughters, Robyna “Bobbie” and Denise. She has nine grandchildren, six boys and three girls; 22 great grandchildren; nine greatgreat grandchildren and two more on the way. “Rose loved to travel, make lots of friends `so you're never alone' and laugh a lot,” Robin Totorica said. “Her milestones are enjoying five
“Rose loved to travel, make lots of friends `so you're never alone' and laugh a lot. Her milestones are enjoying five generations of children, surviving wars, pandemics and recessions. She's seen it all.”
— Robin Totorica
generations of children, surviving wars, pandemics and recessions. She's seen it all.”
Vierra is always happiest when her family is around, family members agreed. She also loves watching old movies and she loves Elvis Presley.
“They both have the same personality. They love being around other people. Both are very social people,” Robin Totorica said. Family always looked forward at Christmastime to enjoy Vierra's homemade biscotti.
Bobbie Totorica was born July 17, 1935 and married the love of her life Joe Totorica in 1956, a law enforcement officer. Joe passed away in 2012. The couple had three sons and a daughter, Joe, Frank, Mark and Robin. They have eight grandchildren and five great-grandchildren. After the Totorica's moved to Lake County in the 1980s, Bobbie became a certified travel agent and opened Let's Travel in the Kelseyville Riviera. “She traveled like nobody's business and has been everywhere,” Robin Totorica said. “Her words of wisdom were never to judge people.” She's also known by family members for always having jelly beans onhand.
“My mom is known for being bubbly. She was nicknamed Lucy from I Love Lucy,” Robin Totorica said.
The extended family all migrated over time from Alameda, Calif. They describe the family as “very tight-knit.” “We always had a family Christmas with a Santa on the Christmas Eve night waking us up,” Robin Totorica said.