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Pennsylvania's Oldest Female Marine Celebrates Her 100th Birthday

By Kristen Johanson 

MONTGOMERY COUNTY, PA (CBS) -- The state's oldest living female Marine celebrated her 100th birthday Sunday with family and friends honoring her at a luncheon.

Grace Bergman has lived in the Philadelphia area for her entire life.

"I never dreamed of being 100-years-old," said Bergman. "I've had a very busy life, and a very interesting life."

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(Photo Credit: KYW's Kristen Johanson)

Born in 1915, Grace grew up in Lansdale and graduated from Hatfield High school. She went to business school, and then started a food collection group to help the needy through the Great Depression. She joined the Marine Corps after the bombing of Pearl Harbor.

"I am a worker, and I like to work hard and get some place, and I thought I would & I did," she said.

Eventually she got married and had a baby. Grace says she has lead a full life of love and family.

"It's really too hard for a 100-year-old," Bergman said. "But I love them all, and I wouldn't want it any different."

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