Hilda Guedes, formerly of Palmerton, is celebrating her 100th birthday today.

Hilda was born Ildebranda Rosa Bernardo on March 5, 1915, in Silves Algarve, Portugal. She was married to Agostinho Guedes, a former prizefighter, for 52 years. Agostinho died in 1995.The couple came to live in the United States in 1947, but enjoyed visits to friends and family in Portugal every summer during their marriage.Hilda and her husband have six children: a daughter, Angelina, married to Joao Sequeira of Palmerton; son Jose Joao, married to Maria Belmira Ricardo of New Jersey; son Manuel, married to Gloria Guedes of Palmerton; daughter Rosa (Guedes) George of Palmerton; son Agostino Jr., married to Susan Guedes of South Carolina; and a son, Benny, who is deceased.She has 11 grandchildren, 16 great-grandchildren, and two great-great-grandchildren.Over the years Hilda enjoyed being a homemaker and taking care of her family. Her daughter, Rosa, says she was always an excellent cook. When she worked outside the home, it was at Scotties Fashion and Fernbrook."She was a very loving parent," says Rosa, "and cared about her children. They were always number one in her life. We always spent as much time as we could together."Rosa says Hilda and Agostinho always loved to go to Bert's Steakhouse in Palmerton."Bert's was her special place to go. After Dad passed, we would still always go for coffee."Hilda is now a resident at Mahoning Valley Nursing and Rehabilitation in Lehighton, but until last year, she continued to live in the home she shared with her husband and children, who would help care for her so she could remain there as long as possible.In addition to trips back to Portugal, Hilda and her husband were able to travel to different places in the United States with daughter Angelina and her husband. Rosa says Hilda's grandson took her to Disneyworld once, and she loved it."She loved being with her grandchildren," says Rosa."My mother is a very loving mother, and giving. She still is."Hilda celebrated her 100th birthday over the weekend at a large party, surrounded by friends and family. She'll have another party today at Mahoning Valley.