Lynbrook woman celebrates 100th birthday

Grace Bucking, of Lynbrook and formerly of Valley Stream, turned 100 on June 18.

Susan Grieco/Herald

Birthday girl Grace Bucking with sister-in-law Mary Bucking, nephew Carl Bucking and sister Joan Tack.

Susan Grieco/Herald

Evelyn Jacobs presents 100th birthday girl Grace Bucking with her cake.

Susan Grieco/Herald

• 
• 
• 

It’s a noteworthy feat to live for 100 years, especially when still feeling young at heart, said the family of Grace Bucking, a former Valley Streamer and now Lynbrook resident for the last 12 years.

The 65-year member of Holy Trinity Episcopal Church in Valley Stream is sharp, witty, and full of life, explained her family. After celebrating her 100th birthday on June 18, Bucking was later honored with a party on June 22 at Holy Trinity’s parish hall. Several friends and family members sang “Happy Birthday,” and gave speeches in a heartfelt show of love.

Bucking laughed and smiled, with such happiness in her eyes. “I never thought much about age, but I always enjoyed birthdays,” she joked.

As the birthday candles were aglow in the dim lights, Bucking surveyed the faces surrounding her. Undoubtedly emotional, tears looked as if they could drop from several people’s eyes. “I am having a wonderful time,” she said.

Bucking recalled entering grade school during World War I, which began only a few years after she was born in Brooklyn in 1911. The oldest of four, she is 20 years older than her youngest sibling, Joan Tack. Her late brothers, Dudley and Carl, had fought in World War II. The first world war evoked widespread panic on one fearful day. “It was the wee hours of the morning,” she recalled, “and an arsenal had blew up in New Jersey, which made us get out of bed.” She was afraid that the Germans were coming, she added.

She attended Girls Commercial High School — re-named Prospect Heights High School before it closed in 2006. Before the roaring 1920s dance crazes like the Charleston fizzled, she entered business school, and landed her first job at an insurance company.

Bucking moved to Valley Stream in the mid-1930s. While the Great Depression hit hard, it did not stunt Bucking’s growth. She began work as a secretary at Frederic R. Wiedersum Architects in Valley Stream, now known as Wiedersum Associates Architects in Hauppauge. Wiedersum is known for building Valley Stream Central High School in 1928.

All in the family