CANFIELD — Saturday is going to be big for residents of Windsor House of Canfield.

Therese Congelis will be celebrating her 100th birthday on that day while enjoying family and friends.

She was born Therese Jeanne d’Arc Bergeron on May 23, 1921. She attended St. Joseph High School in Lowell, Mass., where she graduated in 1939. She continued her schooling at Holy Ghost Hospital in Cameridge, Mass. and served as a practical nurse.

In September 1946, she married Frank Congelis at St. Jean Baptiste Church in Lowell. They met while Frank was serving in the military, and Therese was packing parachutes at Textron Industries in Cambridge for the war effort. The couple then moved to Uniontown, Pa., where they spent the next 22 years. In 1968, they moved to Austintown. Congeslis said the move was a tough thing to do.

“Leaving our friends in Pennsylvania to move to Ohio to start a new life was tough,” she said. “Joining the Ruritans, VFW, local card clubs and St. Christine Church helped make for a good transition.”

Congelis lost her husband, Frank, on Dec. 8, 2009, at the age of 86. She has five children, 10 grandchildren and 12 great-grandchildren to help her celebrate her birthday. She said her fondest memories are from Uniontown when her children were born.

Over the years, Congelis said she has seen a lot of changes, but one really stands out.

“Cellphones,” she said. “It’s amazing to actually see who you are talking to.”

As for what she attributes to her long life, she said eating healthy, nourishing food is key.

“My husband always said I was made of good Canadian stock, too,” she said.

Windsor House of Canfield, where she resides, is planning a big party on Saturday. Activities Director Sue Molnar said Congeslis is a great person who deserves it.

“She is totally appreciative and aware,” Molnar said. “She loves doing crafts and playing bingo, and she always has a big smile.”

She added that Congelis is grateful to have her family visit now. The year 2020 was a tough one on all the residents, but Congelis knew it was for safety first.

“The staff here at Windsor House at Canfield did a wonderful job keeping everyone safe and keeping me connected with my family,” she said.

For her birthday, Congelis said she likes marble cake with chocolate icing, and the one gift she would hope for is having the Pittsburgh Pirates win the World Series.

She has lived a good life and when asked if she would make any changes, she said, “If I had known I was going to live this long, I’d have taken better care of myself, as quoted from Mickey Mantle.”

As for any advice she would give to a young person, Congelis said, “Always stay connected with your family as you go through life.”