Julia Cost, of Niles, celebrated her birthday more than once this month with a birthday party with her family on April 6 and another with her friends at the Niles Senior SCOPE Center April 18. This year's birthday was special because it was her 102nd.
Born April 6, 1910, Julia has been a member of the Niles Senior Center since April 4, 1978.
''She is our oldest member,'' said center co-manager Ray Novotny.
Article Photos
Julia Cost, the oldest member of the Niles Senior SCOPE Center and possibly the oldest Niles resident, celebrated her 102nd birthday April 6. On April 18, Julia also was honored at the senior center with a birthday luncheon and a proclamation by Niles Mayor Ralph A. Infante. Pictured front row, from left, are Julia’s son, George Cost; Julia; daughter Helen Kaniclides. Back row, from left, are Michael Cost, grandson; and Lindsey Faith, great-granddaughter.
''She could possibly be Niles' oldest resident,'' said Niles Mayor Ralph A. Infante.
Infante attended the luncheon at the center to read a proclamation from the city that honored Julia. Also attending were members of Julia's family, including her son, George Cost, grandson Michael Cost, granddaughter Lindsey Faith and her daughter, Helen Kaniclides.
Julia was born in Conemaugh, Pa., a suburb of Johnstown. She was the 11th of 13 children, born to Julia and Michael Kowalchik. All of her siblings are deceased.
In December of 1928, Julia married Nick Constantino Cost. He passed away in January 1979.
Julia and Nick were the parents of three children, Helen, Gus and George, and eight grandchildren, Nick and Kimberly Cost, Susan, David and Michael Cost and Kristine, Kathie and Michael Kaniclides. Her great-grandchildren include Leeann Faith Burns, Shaun and Lindsey Faith, and Nicholas, Alexander and Andreas Kaniclides. Julia has one great-great-grandson, Mason Burns.
According to her family, Julia still cooks and bakes in her Niles home, including her special birthday lamb cakes for all of her grandchildren.