Violet “Vi” Seiwert, right, celebrated her 100th birthday with family and friends on Monday, April 14, at Wynnfield Crossing retirement community in Rochester where she resides. Among her guests was her friend George Tabbert Sr., 102, who drove himself to the party from Niles, Mich.

Text and Photos
By Leah Sander
InkFreeNews

ROCHESTER — Violet “Vi” Seiwert marked her 100th birthday this week with family, friends, and in a way, her whole city.

Rochester Mayor Trent Odell declared it “Violet Seiwert Day” in the city on Monday, April 14, for her birthday at a party held in Seiwert’s honor at Wynnfield Crossing retirement community where she resides.

Seiwert’s children and grandchildren came to the celebration along with staff and fellow residents of Wynnfield Crossing. Among them were several other centenarians: Ben Severns, who was honored with his own recognition day in Rochester on his 102nd birthday in January; and Elsie Long and Ed Felke, who are both 101.

Also at the party was Seiwert’s friend George Tabbert Sr. The 102-year-old drove himself down from Niles, Mich., to see Seiwert.

Seiwert reiterated her life advice that she gave recently to “live life to the fullest.”

She has five living children, four grandchildren and one great-grandchild. Seiwert worked in banking and has been involved in numerous organizations over her lifetime.