On Sept. 26, 1917, the ink dried on the City of Lovelock’s official documents. But, across town, Celia and Irvin Hanson had a more personal reason for celebration. Just four days earlier their middle daughter, Irva, came into the world. Celia gave birth at home.
Irva fit snugly between two sisters – Dixie (Ruth Bonham) and Vic (Norma Arobio). She grew up on Central Avenue in Lovelock. The PCHS alum now lives at the BeeHive Homes, an assisted living facility on Amherst Avenue.
“Irva has a great sense of humor and a wonderful memory,” said her friend Judy Osmun.
Marcucci’s Grandma Andersen and little sister, Vic, tickled her funnybone. In October 1938, Irva, a new bride, opened her honeymoon suitcase. The duo had repacked it with rice.
“Irva cleaned rice from that suitcase for years,” said Osmun. “When they got rid of the bag it still had rice inside.”
On Saturday, Sept. 30, Lovelock celebrates its Centennial with several events. The townspeople will bury a time capsule at City Hall, dedicate artwork, and share a spaghetti dinner followed by fireworks. But for many, Irva Marcucci, 100, holds the key to the historic day.
That’s why the City of Lovelock plans to honor her with a commemorative plaque. She’ll receive the award at 4:30 p.m. at C-Punch at the spaghetti dinner.
When Floyd and Irva Marcucci returned from their honeymoon, they built their marital home on Central Avenue. They lived there together until Floyd Marcucci’s death seventy years later at 94. He and Irva raised three children in Lovelock – Floyd, Teresa, and Richard. Only Richard still survives.
The Grace United Methodist Church provides focus to Irva’s life, she says. She served on the Board of Trustees.
Irva, Floyd, Norma and Vic Arobio, and Teresa threw many pancake breakfasts at Frontier Days to raise funds for the church building.
The group organized two mornings of meals.
“They also mixed the batter, cooked ham, flipped flapjacks, and kept the syrup flowing,” said Osmun.
Christine Johnson directed Irva and Norma in the Lovelock Community Choir. The Beta Sigma Phi sorority and the Red Hat Society also filled her days.
“But the Grace Episcopal Church was their life,” said Osmun about Floyd and Irva Marcucci. Irva taught Sunday school and joined the Methodist Episcopal Women’s Society (MEWS). When the church burned down, she and Floyd worked alongside the rest of the congregation to rebuild.
Irva says she has no secret to longevity.
“Just take each day as it comes,” she added.
