Ida Brecka was born in August 1923 and grew up near the coast in New Jersey. She remembers many happy summers spent at the Jersey Shore. Ida’s main memories of her childhood mostly involve riding her bike everywhere: to parks, carnivals, picnics! And on Sundays, her family always went for a car ride.

Ida married at 18, but remained with her parents initially as her husband joined the army. Eventually, the Breckas made the move to Murrells Inlet, SC. Together, they raised a family of four boys, and Ida cherishes the memories of watching them grow up. Her days with her boys involved a lot of crabbing and fishing and watching them play football. Now Ida has eight grandchildren, ten great-grandchildren and one great-great-grandchild.

Throughout her life, Ida worked at Siemens Medical Systems, Ronson and Hess Oil, but she is most proud of the successful fur business she helped her parents run. Ida also served as a Chaplain for the Order of the Eastern Star.

Ida attributes her 101 years to living a healthy lifestyle, but she also has a knack for finding joy in the simple pleasures of life.