Notable lady celebrates 90th birthday

By BOBBIE GREEN

The Progress

It was a surprising and special day at the Mesquite Senior Center on Tuesday, April 23.
Sr. Center volunteer Claudette Rellas was sitting at her desk as usual, collecting lunch money and signing in diners.

Suddenly, a loud voice came over the PA system announcing that it was her birthday. Two beautiful birthday cakes came rolling out of the back room to be presented in her honor.

Claudette was quite surprised with the party and to see members of her family there including her son Pericles, daughter Anita Rellas, and daughter-in-law Kara Wayne. In honor of his mother Pericles planned the party and paid for all the senior center lunches that day.

At age twenty-two Claudette went to New York to become a singer and dancer. That lasted about 4 years, until she met her love Chris, gave up her career, married and moved to California and raised two children.

Claudette and Chris moved to Mesquite around 2004. She soon joined the Mesquite Toes, and danced with them until 2017, sharing her stage experience with the group. She then became the Toes’ emcee until son Pericles took over.

Members of the Mesquite Toes who had been privileged to dance with her expressed respect and love for Claudette.
“She’s a wonderful dancer and so good at it,” said Loretta Corpe of Claudette. “She was a great help to all of us novices in the group and we appreciate her.”

Karen Beausoleil said, “Claudette was such an asset to our dance team as well as to this community. She could be seen every morning at 4 am running down Mesquite Boulevard to keep in shape.”

Phyillis Litman stated “Claudette is an excellent role model for everyone. She is definitely mine. She is helping me to look forward to an active future.”

Senior Center Supervisor Griseyda Belalcazar stated that Claudette has been volunteering at the center for the past six years. “She has never missed a day,” Belalcazar said. “She runs the front desk expertly. She also makes the daily reassurance phone calls to the homebound and those seniors living alone.”

Claudette expressed appreciation for the celebration and those involved in planning it. “This has been an unbelievable day, what an honor my children have given me,” she said.

Claudette said that she plans to continue volunteering at the senior center and will still be at the front desk three years from now.

The two beautiful birthday cakes were made by volunteer Kathy Schmersal and enjoyed by all.