Celebrating 96 Years of Wit and Wisdom: Ms. Liz’s Birthday at Azalea House

If you’ve ever had the pleasure of meeting Ms. Liz, you know she’s not one to sugar-coat anything — unless, of course, it’s a pastry. 

When I asked if she was excited about her birthday, she rolled her eyes and said with that signature smirk, 

“Oh! I’m over it! I’ve had too many birthdays already!” 

That’s Ms. Liz in a nutshell: honest, hilarious, and full of charm. 

Ms. Liz moved to Altadena when she was just 16 years old — and she’s never left! For eight decades, she’s watched this community grow and change while staying her same witty, spirited self. She’s built a life filled with love, laughter, and more stories than you can fit in one cup of coffee (and trust us — it better be hot coffee, or it’s going right back to the kitchen!). 

She’s the proud mother of three daughters — Sandy, Cindy, and Linda — and she’ll tell you with a wink that her favorite child isn’t one of them, but her son-in-law Jon. 

Since moving into Azalea House this past August as our third resident ever, Ms. Liz has quickly become part of the heart and humor of our home. She loves chatting with anyone who comes into her room, offering relationship advice that’s as sharp as it is wise. My personal favorite? 

“The best way to find a husband is to sit down and be still.” 

We’re still trying to figure out if that’s a strategy for patience… or a gentle way of telling us to stop chasing the wrong ones! 

Although she mostly enjoys the comfort of her room, we’ve been thrilled to see her wheeled into the living room more often lately — sipping coffee, watching The Price Is Right and Judge Judy, and adding her witty commentary that keeps everyone laughing. 

For her 96th birthday, we celebrated with a pizza party and Bundt cake — a simple joy that turned out to be a big deal for everyone. Many residents hadn’t had pizza or cake in years, and the room was filled with laughter, frosting, and stories from birthdays past. 

Throughout the day, whenever one of us checks on her, she’ll raise an eyebrow and ask, 

“Do you ever go home? Why are you still here?” 

And when we tell her, “Because we love you, Ms. Liz,” she rolls her eyes, lets out a little sigh, and says, 

“Aw, I love you too.” 

That’s the magic of Ms. Liz — beneath all the sass and sarcasm is a heart that radiates warmth. We’re so lucky to share our days with her. 

Happy Birthday, Ms. Liz — you make 96 look like a good time. 💕