Grace Mary Haydel, center, celebrated her 100th birthday on Sunday during an event at Garden View Assisted Living at 1000 Darby Lane in New Iberia. Joining her were her daughter and son-in-law, Claire and Terry Broussard.  

Grace Mary Haydel, who was born Sept. 9, 1918, enjoyed a very special day Sunday at her home at Garden View Assisted Living, 1000 Darby Lane.

Haydel celebrated her 100th birthday with friends and family and staff members from Garden View.

The Franklin native married the love of her life, Bolden W. Haydel, on Dec. 22, 1940, and they had five children. Today, she has 16 grandchildren, 33 great-grandchildren and two great-great-grandchildren.

Haydel’s daughter, Claire Broussard, was among those helping her celebrate the occasion.

Haydel was an excellent seamstress who made clothes for all of her children. An avid gardener, she also tended to her flower beds and kept the family’s yard beautiful and full of colorful blooms.

She and her family enjoyed their time at the camp at Cypremort Point, where she loved to fish, shrimp, crab and enjoy boating.

She has led a quiet but meaningful life, dispensing love and knowledge to her extended family, family members said.