Hosting Lucille Downer’s 90th birthday party were her four sons (from left to right): Jeff, an attorney living in Seattle; Dan, software engineer from Hillsboro, Ore.; Tom, of Ocean Park and Jack’s Country Store; and John, typeface designer from Iowa City, Iowa. The sign above the group was made by John.

Lucille and her younger brother Stan “Bud” Smith from Salem, Ore., are the last surviving of the original eight Smith siblings.

Miss Grace Patricia Downer, resplendent in party dress and shiny Mary Janes, came all the way from downtown Portland, Ore., to pay her respects to Great Grandma Lucille.

A classic corsage of pink roses in a Biedermeir design from Flowers by Laurelwood, Astoria, is pinned on the Birthday Belle by her son Dan. Bouquets of pink lilies and roses arranged in heirloom crystal vases decorated the tables of the historic Oysterville school room.

Oysters on the half shell and barbecued salmon straight from Alaska were part of an impressive array of food – a fitting tribute to Lucille, the Doyenne of Jack’s Country Store and the author of her own recipe book. The salmon was caught by Lucille’s great niece, Lisa, in Alaska’s Kenai River shortly before the gala event. Other delicacies included smoked tuna from Jack’s Country Store; stuffed mushrooms, baked oysters and bacon-wrapped scallops by renowned local chef, Jimella Lucas; and bacon-wrapped, blue-cheese filled dates, savory mint watermelon salad, artichoke salad and meat cheese, fruit and vegetable platters artistically assembled by Cindy Downer’s sister and daughter, Debra Mandery of Olympia and Katee Woodby of Long Beach.

Shown here with her grandmother Lucille is Katee Downer Woodby who began planning for the birthday gala last February. “The last count was 110,” she says, “including friends and relatives from Oregon, Alaska, Iowa and, of course, from all over Washington.”

Five-week-old Samuel Patterson, the youngest guest at his great aunt Lucille’s festive event, settles in for a short snooze.