Reader Report: Celebrating 100 years with `The Mouth’ of Costa Mesa

It was a dark and stormy night when Nadine Andreen was born in Coffeeville, Kan., on Oct. 9, 1915. (I really don’t know what the weather was like that day; I’ve just always wanted to start a story that way.) It was a cool and cloudy day in Oregon City, Ore., on Oct. 9, 2015, when Nadine celebrated her 100th birthday.

For many of those years, Nadine was a well-known and active member of the Costa Mesa community. She served for many years on the Mesa del Mar Homeowners Assn., along with her husband, LeRoy, who also served on the Planning Commission.

Then-Mayor Linda Dixon bestowed on Nadine the quarterly Mayor’s Award in June of 2002, recognizing her dedication and commitment to her homeowners association and the greater community.

Nadine had a habit of calling people (council members, planning commissioners, city staff members and community members) to share her opinions on everything from their hairstyles and public speaking skills, to park development and proposed heliports.

Nadine referred to herself as “The Mouth” of Costa Mesa. She is still proud of that, and can recite details of decades-old conversations she held with various people. In fact, her memory of events and people in her and Costa Mesa’s past is remarkable, notwithstanding her age.

My wife, Pam, and I were privileged to attend Nadine’s 100th birthday celebration at her son’s home in Oregon. It was well-attended, with perhaps 40 to 50 people in attendance over the course of the afternoon. Attendees included her son, Norman, and his wife, Judy; Nadine’s daughter, Laura; several other relatives, including great granddaughter Megan; and friends. People came from near and far to celebrate this remarkable occasion. One Oregon neighbor commented that she had not seen so many California license plates in a long time.

Accompanying Nadine was her canine companion, Molly, a poodle/Maltese mix. A brilliant white, Molly looked as if she had been bathed and coiffed for the occasion.

Nadine had seen a story about the popularity of cupcake wedding cakes, and suggested that something similar be done for her party. So, the centerpiece of the table was a beautiful, multi-tiered collection of cupcakes in a half-dozen flavors. The chocolate-on-chocolate ones were delicious!

There were stacks of birthday cards, including a homemade one that stood about three feet high — “A big card for a big birthday” it read. Gifts ranged from flowers and candy (I was pleased to see that Nadine shares my love for chocolate!), to a sliver picture frame, to a flowery red headband, which she wore proudly.

It was a memorable occasion for a truly memorable lady. Here’s to a century of Nadine!

PERRY VALANTINE lives in Costa Mesa.