Patricia Casciano celebrated her 100th birthday on Aug 19.

A resident at The Palmerton, her family conducted a drive-by celebration to make the event.

Born on Aug. 19, 1920, Patricia was the only child born to Feliciano and Grace D’Orsi of Bethlehem.

After graduating from Bethlehem Catholic High School in 1938, she went to Bethlehem Business College.

Upon graduation she was immediately hired in the business office of Bethlehem Steel.

In the 1940s, Pat met the man of her dreams, Dennis Casciano. Her parents would only allow her to date with a chaperone.

When war broke out, Dennis enlisted in the Army and served six years. Patricia still has all the love letters they wrote during that time.

On June 1, 1946, they were married at the Holy Rosary Church in Bethlehem. Her mother made her wedding gown, which she still has today.

Two years later their son, Anthony, was born. She stayed home with him for two years and then returned to work at the Steel.

In 1952, she gave birth to her daughter, Celeste. She became involved in Girl Scouts, school plays, church activities and card clubs. She was always in charge of spaghetti dinners and made more meatballs than anyone around.

Her husband was involved in the American Legion, and she was always at his side when he traveled. This year she was named an honorary life member for the Women’s Auxiliary for being a member for 73 years. She will be featured in the Legion magazine in November.

In 1965, her son Anthony enlisted in the Navy, serving in the Vietnam War. She worried and prayed until he came home safe. He married Joann McCall of Hellertown in 1973. They had two children.

Her daughter Celeste graduated in 1970 and went to Kutztown University to become a teacher. She taught in Bethlehem and then Lehighton for 35 years. She is married to Thomas Silvonek and they had two children.

Dennis died in 1991. She remained at their home in Fountain Hill. She and Dennis traveled all over the world and Patricia continued to travel with her widowed friends until she turned 90 years old.

At the age of 90, a storm was coming and she tried to carry porch chairs into the house alone. She fell and fractured her hip. She moved in with her daughter until she eventually moved into The Palmerton.

She was the Queen of Hearts in 2018 and won every Halloween contest there.

In addition to socializing with friends at The Palmerton, she enjoys playing games with her eight grandchildren and frequently wins.