I’ve heard that John Adams always insisted July 2 should be the real commemoration of our nation’s independence, not July 4, so perhaps today we begin year number 250 in our history.

In my family, though, the end of June and beginning of July mark several birthdays, notably Irene Gallagher, my grandmother, who was born on July 3, 1925. She’d be 100 years old tomorrow, and I think I’m going to celebrate with a Manhattan and an episode of The Golden Girls.

Irene Gallagher lived the quintessential 20th century American life, from Depression to war to homemaker to working woman to the retired doting grandmother I knew and loved into the third millennium.

Three years ago, on what would have been her 97th birthday I aired an episode of Math and Musings describing her life in detail, and submitted for your approval (you’ll see why that makes sense when listening to the episode), I offer it here again.

Enjoy.

And happy birthday, Grandma!