Latrobe centenarian surprised with birthday parade

Audrey Spangler found several birthday surprises waiting for her Monday evening when she stepped outside her apartment at Laurel Highlands Village, an independent senior living community in Latrobe.

Family and friends geared up to celebrate the Philadelphia native’s 100th birthday in a big way, despite pandemic-related restrictions on social activities. Spangler took a seat along Weldon Street as local police and fire vehicles drove by to salute her, followed by well-wishers in private cars — for a 28-vehicle parade.

“I had no idea anything like this was coming,” she said, even after staff at the National Church Residences facility decorated her door and served cupcakes donated by the local Giant Eagle supermarket.

“It’s really nice having her here today with all her friends,” said son Kevin, 66, of Derry Township.

“We’re just really blessed to have had her all this time,” said daughter Garnet Snyder, 73, of Hempfield. “She was on her own for a long time and had to provide for us. She gave us good ethics and good morals.”

Audrey Spangler, who grew up in the Cooperstown section of Derry Township, has a long record of service outside the home. During World War II, while her husband, William, was serving in the Navy, she worked at Kennametal and volunteered as a nurse’s aide.

After her husband’s death in 1960, she raised her two children while working a variety of jobs: in the Derry Area School District cafeteria; at the former Capital Grill restaurant in Latrobe; at home parties, where she sold a line of clothing; and at the Youngwood Westinghouse plant, from which she eventually retired.

The only thing Spangler would change: She would have pursued training during World War II to become a nurse.

She decided against it, she said, because “I figured my husband would be home.” But, by the time he’d completed his service, she noted, “had I gone in training, I would have had only three months to go, and I would have been a full nurse.”

Still, she’s made it through the decades by looking at glasses as half full instead of half empty.

“Why worry?” she said. “Nine times out of 10, the things you worry about don’t happen. And if they do, there’s not a darned thing you can do about it.”

In addition to her children, those helping Spangler celebrate her special day in Latrobe included several of her four grandchildren and five great-grandchildren, as well as “birthday buddy” Lou DaRold of Irwin, who operates a Latrobe barbershop.

DaRold was born on the same date as Spangler, Aug. 17, although four decades later. The two met a few years ago while each was enjoying a birthday dinner at Latrobe’s Racer’s restaurant. Since then, he has been treating her to one of her favorite dishes at the eatery, a strawberry chicken walnut salad, though it was delivered to her this year.

“I tell her, ‘If I was only 40 years older,’ ” DaRold teased.

Spangler also enjoyed some strawberry shortcake cupcakes, a carrot cake and a box full of birthday cards.

Though she’s given up crocheting, Spangler enjoys reading, watching TV and daily strolls around town using her walker.

The best gift, she said, is “having a more or less healthy and successful family. I’m so very fortunate that everybody is on an even keel.”