BONNERS FERRY — Over the past 100 years, there have been numerous natural disasters, wars, recessions, and bombings. There were also good things that happened such as the first moon landing and many sports accomplishments, Babe Ruth’s legendary reign in baseball, among countless others. The early 1900s cars were going from a crank engine to a push start. Now researchers are working on self driving cars, solar panel roofs, and gas alternatives.

Local resident Elizabeth Sias recently turned 100 years old. She witnessed the modern world unfolding, inspiring strength, hard work, and purpose to those who encounter her. Sias lives in her own home, out of town, and loves to spend her days in her garden.

For her 100th birthday, she flew to Boston, Mass. to visit her family and was blessed with good weather and even better company, although the trip itself was eventful. There was a long layover that resulted in a hotel room, meals, and finishing her trip in first class.

Sias has lived through two World Wars and countless others. She saw the Berlin Wall rise and fall, the stock market at its highs and lows, the evolution of major bombs such as the atom and hydrogen bombs, the progression of NASA and their many projects, and the turnover into a new millennium. She has seen the different stages of dance, music, and arts as well.

Sias was a Red Cross volunteer in World War II and is a mother of two girls. Her greatest passion is to garden, and continues to this day. She plans out her garden over the winter months, and builds them up over the summer.

With her husband in the newspaper business, she was able to see all the events unfolding. He was the editor of a paper in Washington D.C. and loved to fish. Always on the search for a good fishing spot, they spent a lot of time outdoors and she fell in love with the country. She had always wanted a log cabin so they finally got one locally about 40 years ago and she moved in — sight unseen.

Sias met Bunny Dyer during a fishing outing about 25 years ago and they continued to be close friends over the years. They joked for years about going to Hawaii for Sias’s birthday, so Dyer threw her a Hawaiian themed party at Chic-N-Chop complete with leis and grass skirts. Friends of Sias hid on the far side of the room, afraid she would be angry about the surprise party.

When asked her secret to living to see the 100 year mark, Sias attributes it to always being active.