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A century of faith
Catholic woman celebrates 100 years of life
By Gina Keating, The Catholic Sun
December 20, 2007
Concepción Piñeda woke early to join the world in prayer on the Feast of the Immaculate Conception, which also marked her 100th birthday.
Family and friends celebrated the milestone Dec. 8 with a daylong party in the home of her youngest son, Marcial, where she lives with his family.
Piñeda began the day as she always does — with prayer.
“I pray for all the people of all the world, the dead and the living,” she said. “I give them blessings so that they’ll be able to have a long life.”
Well-wishers at the house greeted Piñeda, who was wearing a new blue robe, her hair neatly fashioned into braids.
Around her neck she wore a scapular and a medal of Our Lady of Guadalupe, a gift she received in Mexico more than 90 years ago.
“She gives me miracles,” Piñeda said. “I have her prayer cards and pictures in my room.”
Piñeda was born in 1907 in Morenci, Ariz. She attended school in Prescott and Jerome before marrying in Mexico at 17.
She and her husband had 13 children, but only eight survived.
Piñeda, a widow, has 50 grandchildren, 40 great-grandchildren and more than 20 great-great grandchildren in Mexico, Arizona and California.
As the day turned into evening, the house still resonated with the sound of laughter.
Pink balloons decorated the kitchen, and Piñeda’s bedroom hid the evidence of unwrapped birthday gifts.
Pictures of her life circulated among the 40 guests as the front door continuously opened and closed with new arrivals.
For the past nine months, Florine Serda has paid weekly visits to Piñeda. Serda, an extraordinary minister of the Eucharist from St. Martin de Porres Parish, brings Communion to the homebound in her community, but she was particularly drawn to Piñeda.
“Her life is devoted to the Catholic faith,” Serda said. “She loves the Church and she is just a wonderful blessing.”
Although her body bears the wear and tear of a century, her mind does not.
Piñeda reads a different book each hour, and prides herself on her vast selection of prayer books stacked in her bookcases.
And if you think you can get away with something because she won’t notice, think again.
Her daughter-in-law shared a story about a St. Jude prayer card Piñeda wanted from her dresser.
She pointed to its location from the hospital bed in her room, counter to the protests of her family who insisted it was elsewhere — but it was there just as she thought.
Although she can’t get out of bed without the help of Marcial, Piñeda knows her way around her room, and remembers where she puts things.
Piñeda said she doesn’t know why she has lived so long, but she is grateful for the time she has had with her family.
Geimmy Piñeda, 17, is one of her great-granddaughters who enjoys coming by the house to see her, sometimes for just a kiss.
“I sit, and think about how she is really strong,” Geimmy said. “She’s been through a lot, and she’s just amazing.”
It was just last year the family thought they would lose Piñeda to an illness.
She rallied and has been holding her own, but she’s hopeful for the day God calls her home.
“I am ready. When I am sleeping, I dream I am praying,” Piñeda said. “My only wish is the day I go home, I can receive the Eucharist.”
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