Irma Slocum celebrates 100th birthday

HAZEL DELL — Vancouver United Church of Christ celebrated Irma Slocum’s 100th birthday by holding a drive-thru parking lot party on March 6, though her official birthday was on March 8. More than 75 cars passed through while she and her family sat under a pop-up tent to wave and welcome everyone at the church. The Vancouver Police Department’s Happiness 911 also visited to sing “Happy Birthday.” Slocum, as was her late husband, Bill, has been a member of the church since they moved to Vancouver in 1948 from New York City, where both attended The Juilliard School of Music, according to a news release. They both served in the Army, with Irma Slocum in the Women’s Army Corps. She taught music and kindergarten at Evergreen Public Schools for many years. “Vancouver was a wonderful place to raise our five kids. We loved it. It has changed so much over the years. It has gone from a small quiet little town to a sprawling city with all kinds of activities. It has been a good place to call home for the past 73 years,” Slocum said, according to the news release.