Between Tribal members Patricia Lobb and Donald Gilich, they have lived a lot of life – 185 years to be exact.
The Puyallup Tribe recognized its two eldest members July 16 at the monthly Elders Luncheon held at the Emerald Queen Casino event tent.
Patricia Lobb, at the age of 95, is the oldest Puyallup Tribal member alive today.
Donald Gilich, at the age of 90, holds the title as the oldest male member.
Tribal Councilmember Sylvia Miller honored both elders at the luncheon, recognizing them as the oldest two people within the Tribe.
They were each adorned with cedar hats and Pendleton blankets and fellow elders were able to view old pictures of their peers on display at the luncheon.
Prior to the lunch, both shared brief snapshots of their nine-plus decades living in the Pacific Northwest – Patricia as a tomboy growing up in Toppenish and raising her family during the depths of the Great Depression, and Donald as a life-long fisherman from Gig Harbor. Looking back they
recognize how the times have changed.
“You used to be able to spend 65 cents for a whole breakfast with eggs and bacon – now you can’t even get an egg for that,” Donald Gilich exclaimed.
