By MOLLY DRYMAN

Staff Reporter

LULING – A 103-year-old Luling resident will soon celebrate her 104th birthday on Aug. 22 at the Luling Living Center.

Hilda Hebert, born Therese Idea Guitroz, was born Aug. 22, 1901, in Matthews, to Charly and Estelle Loup Guitroz.

“Growing up, she only spoke French,” said Activity Coordinator Betty Jackson of the Luling Living Center. “She was the youngest of nine children. She was sent with her older sister to finishing school at Ursuline Academy in New Orleans to learn English.”

Jackson said Hebert grew up on a sugar plantation and attended a school in Lockport, before she was transferred. She has a 12th-grade education, according to Jackson.

Hebert gets her longevity from her mother who passed away two-weeks shy of her 106th birthday.

“Family members said she died, because of Hurricane Betsy,” Jackson said. “They said it scared her to death.”

Hebert said her mother, even at an old age, could “hear and see just as good as anybody.”

One of Hebert’s sisters lived to be 102-years-old, but now are all deceased, according to Jackson.

Hebert married Laurent Hebert from Paincourtville, Louisiana on Feb. 14, 1927 in New Orleans and moved to Chicago, IL where they had a son Laurent Jr. The couple later moved back to New Orleans. Hebert’s husband died in 1980 and her son in 1996. Hebert was a housewife and her husband was a waiter, according to Jackson.

Jackson said Hebert’s husband died of natural causes. Hebert said her son, “smoked himself to death.”

Hebert has seven grandchildren, one of which is named John. Hebert is quite fond of John, her responsible party. Jackson said John and his daughters come to visit Hebert every weekend and she recognizes him more than anyone.

“Is John coming to take me home today?” said Hebert who becomes confused at times, because of sight and hearing loss.

“She loves John,” Jackson said. “She is always saying his name.”

Looking through old pictures, Jackson found one of Hebert and John together and showed it to Hebert she immediately responded, “Is that me and John.” Jackson replied, “Yes, you and John.”

Jackson said she gets no trouble out of Hebert.

“She is sweet, kind and pleasant,” Jackson said. “She is truly a model resident.”

Hebert goes to an exercise class weekly and likes bingo.

“She likes to watch T.V.,” Jackson said. “Her favorite shows include Wheel-of-Fortune and Jeopardy.”

Jackson said Hebert gets along just fine and can feed herself, propel her own wheel chair and only fusses about getting her hair washed and taking a bath.

Hebert’s birthday bash will be held Aug. 2 at 2 p.m. in the Luling Living Center activity room.