A Milwaukee, Wisconsin, woman decided to celebrate her 106th birthday at the casino like every year, unaware that her celebration would turn into a big surprise. What happened on her birthday caught the local news channels’ attention.
Serafina Papia Peterson, also known as Sarah, lived in the Arboretum Retirement Community with other senior citizens from her city. The woman had lived a wonderful life with her family.
Sarah’s parents moved to Milwaukee from Sicily, and she spent her entire life in her hometown. Before retiring in 1977, Sarah worked at American Motors and lived a wholesome life. However, she had no idea that her 106th birthday celebration would turn into something exciting.
How Did the Woman Celebrate Her Birthday?
Sarah never had children, so her nieces and nephews cared for her. They loved her and often felt amazed at her strength at 106 years old. Even after turning old, Sarah did not like sitting idle all day. She wanted to do the house chores and cook food.
“I want to cook, though, but they won’t let me,” the senior citizen said about her family. She enjoyed cooking spaghetti, meatballs, and pizza, among other dishes and enjoyed singing her favorite songs. The elderly woman said she lived a “good life” and never smoked or drank.
Her niece, Marge Larson, said Sarah had always been a part of her life, and what she adored the most about her was her “caring spirit and drive.” Larson admitted it was sometimes annoying when her aunt insisted on cleaning the house as she did when she was younger.
On August 23, 2023, Sarah’s family visited her to celebrate her 106th birthday. They sang the birthday song for her and took her to the Potawatomi Casino, where she had celebrated many of her birthdays.
Like other birthdays, Sarah went to the casino, unaware she would hit the jackpot. It was shocking for her and her family when she won big on her birthday. She recalled:
“I told my niece I thought I was going to win today but never thought I’d receive a surprise like this.”
Meanwhile, Larson recalled the moment when her aunt hit the jackpot and won over $1,000. She said everyone was stunned when they saw the word “Jackpot” on the screen and learned that Sarah had won an enormous amount.
Sarah did not expect to win big on her birthday or ever think she would live for 106 years. The lucky woman shared her secret to a long life and how she felt after the casino management did something special for her.
What Did the Casino Management Do for Her?
When the casino CEO Dominic Ortiz learned about Sarah hitting the jackpot on her birthday, he doubled her winnings on her special day. Besides that, the casino gifted her a sweatshirt and celebrated her birthday with a customized cake. Ortiz said:
“We were all elated when we heard about her big win and wanted to make her 106th birthday even more special.”Sarah was delighted to win twice the amount on her birthday but didn’t know where she would spend it. However, she said she would make “a good choice” while investing her money.
Her fun-filled day at the casino included a heartfelt birthday celebration and clicking photos that would remind everyone of her big win. They even made her wear a golden birthday sash.Not everyone gets a chance to live over a hundred years. Only a few special people live healthy lives and see how the world changes over a century. Sarah was glad to live for 106 years and shared the key to longevity.
“I want to live for my dog,” Sarah said. “He’s not a dog. He’s a person.” Her furry friend was a big motivation for her to live over a hundred years because he always stayed by her side and cared for her.Sarah said her dog would check up on her if she took too long in the bathroom. She admired him and said he cared for her like her nieces and nephews. Her love for her family and dog is what keeps her going.