Nellie Lojas Polivka is celebrating her 102nd birthday. She was born Aniela Lojas in Nixon Run, Martins Ferry, to John and Antonia Lojas on Jan. 12, 1918. She lived in farms located on Nixon Run, Glens Run and Scotch Ridge along with her parents and nine brothers and sisters: married names are Albert Lojas, Helen Duda, Alice Zurek, John Lojas, Walter Lojas, Anna Lojas, Kathrine Stupak Snodgrass, Elizabeth Sall and Victor Lojas. An infant sister Mary and infant brother Frank passed prior to her parents moving to Ohio from Chicago. Nellie was their first child to be born in Ohio.

Grade schools she attended were Florence (teacher Gertrude Pickens), Brush (teacher Elizabeth Pickens), Glens Run (teacher Mr. Simpson), and St. Mary’s School in Martins Ferry.

Nellie worked at M. Marsh & Son in Wheeling until her husband returned from World War II. Nellie married Millard Polivka from Neffs on Sept. 9, 1944. After returning from the service in January 1946, Millard and Nellie started to build their home on Green Valley Road, St. Clairsville. Millard said he wanted to build Nellie a home. He was a carpenter. It was a beautiful little home: white fencing, garden and several small barnyard animals through the years. They worked hard together to make this a place where family and friends loved to gather. Millard passed Dec. 8, 1992. Nellie and Millard’s two children are Mary Ann (Lewis) Canter and Millard (Annie) Polivka. They have seven grandchildren and 11 great grandchildren.

Nellie moved right before her 101st birthday to a retirement home to be closer to her children. She loves taking walks and talking with the other residents and joining in the many activities offered.

Nellie and Millard were very special parents, grandparents and great grandparents. The family says they are so lucky to celebrate Nellie’s 102nd birthday with her.

Those who would like to send a birthday card or note to Nellie can mail it to: Danbury Senior Living, 939 Portage Road, Wooster, OH 44691.