Randall Memorial Baptist throws party for woman's 100th birthday

Arlie Becker delivers a speech at her 100th birthday party, sharing some thoughts about what's truly important. The celebration was held Sunday at Randall Memorial Baptist Church.

Arlie Becker celebrated her 100th birthday on Sunday at Randall Memorial Baptist Church with those who are close to her. There were about 200 family and friends in attendance.

The Williamsville resident was born Arlie Cairl on Jan. 31, 1908 in Kingston, Pa. She weighed only 1 and one-half pounds.

In 1918, her family moved to Buffalo, but every time her aunt had a baby she went to Pennsylvania to care for the other children in the family.

Becker was married in 1928, but her husband died 13 months later. She remarried in 1940 to Lawrence Becker, a chiropractor. They had been married for 30 years when he passed away.

She took a job in the custodial department in the Williamsville School District.

She started sewing as a young girl, her first project being an Easter dress for her sister, Thais.

Becker took private sewing lessons from a Cornell professor, and in 1953 started teaching sewing in the Buffalo and Williamsville schools. She taught for 25 years.

In 1950, she joined Randall Memorial Baptist Church, where she worked on several projects. She offered her sewing skills, making new linings for the library curtains and costumes for The Pilgrimage, an annual event at the church.

During the years, she has made wedding gowns for family members, starting with her sister's nearly 50 years ago.

Since retiring in 1973 Becker has enjoyed traveling.

"All this has been made by the grace of God," she said when the church ran a profile on her life, naming her a Super Senior of the Month.