Dorothy Brunton of Franklin will mark her 100th birthday Friday.
She was born Jan. 13, 1917, in Canal Township, Venango County, to Wylie and Jenny Dean McCune.
Her mother passed away in 1919, and Dorothy came to Franklin to live with her aunt and uncle, Nellie and Vance Burchfield.
At the age of 8, her family moved into a house Vance Burchfield built at 716 Grant St. Brunton has lived in that house for 92 years.
She graduated from Franklin High School in 1935. She was employed by General Manifold of Franklin until her marriage to Ralph “Shorty” Brunton.
During World War II, Brunton had many friends and cousins stay with her to help with raising her first child as her husband was serving his country overseas.
Over the years, her home has always been a pleasant place for friends and family to gather. Even to this day it is not unusual for her to have visitors daily.
Her life work was raising her family and volunteering her time with the hospital auxiliary, Girl Scouts, Boy Scouts, Franklin Red and Black Club and her church. She is the longest living member of Christ United Methodist Church in Franklin. She was proud to belong to the Friendship Circle Class. She was also a longtime member of the YMCA. She continued swimming until she was 88 years old.
Brunton has three children, Georgine Baker and her husband, Ken, of Cranberry Township; Ralph and his wife, Melissa, of Franklin; and Debbie Walters and her husband, Scott, who live with Brunton.
Brunton’s family said she is a great mother, but she is the very best grandmother a child could have. She has six grandchildren and she rarely missed an event they were part of. She and her husband would sometimes split their time as to not miss an event. She attended her great-grandson’s basketball game last year at age 99.
The family is holding a card shower to honor Brunton. Cards may be sent to her at 716 Grant St., Franklin.
