Martha Josephine Dolezal Sembera, born September 28, 1919, in Alief, is preparing to celebrate her 107th birthday with her family gathering on Sunday, September 27. Sembera has lived through more than a century of profound global and technological changes, witnessing the arrival of television, the first moon landing, and a complete transformation in communication from a time when telephones were rare to a world where they are an everyday fixture.
Despite her extensive years, Sembera said she does not spend much time contemplating her age. Her approach to life is focused on positivity, stating, "Just, I feel like, smile and be happy." This outlook, coupled with remembering her faith, has been a key to her longevity, she noted, advising others to "always thank God."
Family remains a central pillar in Sembera’s life. She is a mother to five daughters and has a large extended family that includes 13 grandchildren and eight great-grandchildren. Sembera stated she has maintained a close relationship with her children and grandchildren, feeling she knows each of them well and cherishing more than a century of shared memories.
Beyond her positive perspective and faith, Sembera also attributes her long life to a long-standing daily habit. Her late husband, Charlie, once read about a recipe involving a teaspoon of apple cider vinegar and honey mixed with warm water. Sembera tried it, and the mixture became the first step in her daily routine. She noted, "From then on, that always is the first thing I do. Get up and go and mix me up a solution and drink it, and here I am."
Sembera's life also reflects a strong work ethic developed from a young age. She recalled her father instilling in her the importance of knowing how to work, anticipating a potential need to earn her own living. This ethic manifested early in her career, as she worked days at the Red & White grocery store, took a short break at home, and then returned to work at night selling tickets at a theater.
Her dedication continued throughout her adult life, balancing dual careers. Sembera spent nearly five decades as a U.S. postmaster and more than 50 years running Sembera’s Grocery. She met her husband, Charlie, in 1937 during a celebration marking the renaming of Benneview to La Salle. The couple married in 1939 and remained together until his death in 1985.
Through all these personal and professional milestones, Sembera has been an observer of sweeping changes across American society. These shifts range from technological innovations like television and the space race to fundamental alterations in how people connect and share information.
As she approaches her 107th year, Sembera continues to engage with life, making a point to learn something new each day and regularly maintaining her personal grooming, including getting her hair done. When asked for advice for younger generations, her counsel was straightforward: "Be natural, and just be happy." She also suggested, simply, not to worry.
Rosa Alvarez, executive director of Sodalis Victoria assisted living, emphasized the profound value in listening to someone who has navigated more than a century of history. Alvarez summarized Sembera's perspective, noting that her message is one of trusting God, choosing happiness, and avoiding excessive worry, advice she considers well worth heeding from someone who has lived for 107 years. Sembera herself expressed humility about her longevity, stating she doesn't know precisely why she is still here, but hopes she has done a good job fulfilling whatever purpose she has been given.
