Marjorie Porter of Los Alamos is celebrating her 100th birthday today. Many in Los Alamos remember her from her store, Pets Unlimited in Los Alamos. Courtesy photo

COMMUNITY News:

Marjorie Porter of Los Alamos turns 100 years old today!

Her party had to be postponed but many friends drove by her house today, honking and waving in honor of her birthday.

She was born April 27, 1920 in Oakland, Calif. She lived there and Sacramento growing up. She was the only child of Gladys Hamilton Gonzales. Besides her mom she had devoted grandparents “Daddy Walter and Auntie Mae”.

She  grew up loving animals. As a child she had a Boston Terrier named Mickey as well as guinea pigs, a  turtle, a chameleon, toads and other animals. Daddy Walter taught her to love and ride horses. She took lessons as a child in gymnastics and dance and was great at both.

Porter has a son, Jason. She moved to New Mexico in the 70s with her horses. She opened two pet stores called Pets Unlimited. One was in Santa Fe and the other in Los Alamos. Many people here remember her from the store where she had pet supplies as well as all kinds of animals.

Porter now lives in Los Alamos with her dear friend Debra Lowenstein, who owns Mrs. Beadsley Vintage Jewelry. She loves to read, watch Turner Classic Movies, color and dress up with lots of rings.

She also likes to look at a photo album put together by her mother titled, “Pleasant Memories”. In it are pictures of Porter with her mom, her grandparents, her childhood friend June who she practiced gymnastics with, Porter on the running board of a huge car in 1922 and so many other moments in her life.

Porter never went gray. She prefers a nice bright red color! A planned party to celebrate her 100th birthday will be rescheduled for the summer.