City resident Helen Norman receives a citation in honor of her 100th birthday from Mayor Dorinda Borer during a celebration with family and friends at Apple Rehab West Haven on Feb. 9.
With them are, from left, Norman’s children, John Norman Jr., Nancy Marsh and Gary Norman.
Borer recognized the centenarian and lover of word search books for “leading an extraordinary life.”
Reading the citation, Borer said, “As a lifelong resident of our beautiful shoreline, you have witnessed tremendous milestones in our city’s history, and your life represents an important part of the story of West Haven.”
The former Helen Lutz is a 1942 graduate of West Haven High School and was an avid swimmer and tole painter, the folk art of decorative painting on tin and wooden utensils, objects and furniture.
She has four grandchildren, two great-grandchildren, and many nieces and nephews, several of whom attended the celebration.