Pearl Genevieve (Carlson) Moore of Preston celebrated her 100th birthday with some 300 family members and friends Saturday, Sept. 23 at the Preston Community Center.

Among the guests at the reception was King County Councilwoman Kathy Lambert, who presented her with a U.S. flag, flown over the U.S. Capitol on Monday, Sept. 18, her 100th birthday.

Lambert read the certificate of authenticity that came with the flag, which read, in part, “At the request of the Honorable David G. Reichert, Member of Congress, this flag was flown to celebrate the birthday of Pearl Moore, Happy 100th Birthday. You are considered a pillar of the Preston community and your friends and family thank you for all that you have done.”

Lambert also read a personal statement from Reichert congratulating Moore on her birthday, and added her own comments. Both legislators know Moore personally.

King County Executive Dow Constantine also formally declared the day Pearl Moore 100th Birthday Celebration Day.

Moore was born in Washington State at the North Bend Hospital on Sept. 18, 1917, to parents Hulda and Olaf Carlson, who emigrated to Preston from Varmland, Sweden, in the late 1890’s. The family moved to Preston where Pearl graduated from Broadway High School, Class of 1935.

She married Marshall Moore in 1941, a marriage that lasted 56 years. After World War II, the couple moved back to Preston, where Pearl has lived ever since.

She credits her longevity to God’s grace, ancestors, a busy social church life, exercise and eating a lot of vegetables (including peanuts and chocolate).

In honor of her 100th birthday, Preston resident Pearl Moore received a special parking spot, just for her. (Courtesy Photo)