America’s Oldest Soprano Still Sings at 105 Years Old at Concord Place Retirement and Assisted Living Community, Chicago
February 2nd, 2010Every day, Lillian Krockenberger sings her favorite songs. While that may not seem like a monumental accomplishment for most people, this soprano turns 105 years old on Feb 3, 2010, and can still hit her high notes.
Lillie, as she is affectionately called, was born in Bad Kreunzach, Germany in 1905. An orphan, she came to Chicago, Illinois in 1921 and worked as a maid and caregiver for a wealthy family. That was when she met her husband, Carl. “He lived two doors down [the street]. He saw me through the window as I walked by his house. He came to me and said, ‘Can I take you to the show?’”
Talking about her husband, Carl, often brings out mischief from Lillie. “My husband was a flirt,” she exclaimed! “Men are flirts. I don’t blame them. They’re built that way,” she added. Looking around the hotel-like retirement home she now calls home, she joked, “Have they got men here?”
Lillie and Carl had two children together, Carl Jr. and Lydia, and seven grandchildren. Though Lillie’s husband and two children have since passed on, her grandchildren remain a big part of her life.
Lillie’s husband, also a musician, played piano and violin. Together they enjoyed entertaining people with music. “I sang wherever I could,” said Lillie.
For the past 20 years, Lillie has lived in the Chicago suburb of Northlake, at Concord Place Retirement and Assisted Living Community (http://www.concordplace.com). “Lillie is a gift to us all,” said Fran Pelegrino, Concord Place Resident Coordinator, who has been one of Lillie’s closest friends for the past 20 years.
“The secret to a long life is to be happy and consider each day a gift,” said Lillie.
This past weekend, Concord Place threw Lillie a party to celebrate her 105th birthday. Among the guests were Lillie’s 103-year-old cousin, Edna, and the mayor of Northlake, IL Jeffrey Sherwin. Mayor Sherwin presented Lillie with a certificate and declared Feb 3 as Lillian Krockenberger Day.
About Concord Place Retirement and Assisted Living Community:
Located in Northlake, Illinois, Concord Place Retirement and Assisted Living Community is one of the premier Retirement Communities in Chicago and surrounding areas. Concord Place offers an enjoyable life for older adults, with private apartments, three restaurant-style meals a day, activities, companionship and on-site assistance. http://www.concordplace.com
