Rocklin's Laverne McGrath Splan celebrates milestone100th birthday

If life is a story, then (Abra) La Verne Willard McGrath Splan has lived a great one. She turns 100 on Saturday. Born on Lincoln's birthday (thus, her first name) in 1922, McGrath Splan is a descendent of one of Rocklin's pioneer families. Her grandfather, George C. Willard, was 17 when he left Maine in the late 1880s seeking his fortune. According to family lore, it took Willard six years to travel on horseback across the U.S., finally arriving in Truckee with a broken leg. He never explained how he broke his leg nor shared any of his adventures during that journey. He got a job in a Truckee grocery store and in 1886 married "Bertie" Millet, whose father settled in Dutch Flat during the Gold Rush. Around 1890, the couple settled on five acres of land on Rocklin Road where they raised four children (Hazel, Alfred, Ernest and Laura), grew fruit and vegetables and kept dairy cows and hogs. Willard was part-owner of a quarry and worked for Southern Pacific Railroad. He eventually was named the town's first marshall. The second of four children born to Alfred and Rose Elizabeth (Morys) Willard, McGrath Splan grew up in Rocklin surrounded by aunts, uncles and numerous cousins and attending local schools. "She was eight years older than me," recalled her cousin and lifelong Rocklin resident Gay Morgan. "She was like my big sister. She wore makeup, had a boyfriend. I thought she was so glamorous. I wanted to be just like her when I grew up." Graduation ceremonies for the 10 students in her class were held at Finn Hall. McGrath Splan joined the U.S. Marine Corps in 1943. "I thought she was very brave," Morgan said. "I was 15 or 16 and pictured explosions and guns." The reality was very different. Although McGrath Splan joined the Marines with the vision of serving as a clerk, she was sent to North Carolina to train as a cook/baker. Cooking quality meals for the service men was hard work. "We didn't have mixers. Everything had to be done by hand," McGrath Splan said. "We didn't have recipes. And we had to be ready for inspection, 'white glove' inspection, at all times." During this time, she met and married a fellow Marine, Dean McGrath. When the war ended in 1945, McGrath started a successful career with a U.S. government agency that took the family to the Republic of China (Taiwan), Indonesia, Bali, Pakistan, Greece, San Francisco and several years in Washington, D.C. While they were stationed in the Republic of China, McGrath Splan gave birth to their first son, Patrick, who arrived during a typhoon that broke out the hospital windows. Although overseas assignments typically lasted three years, their stay in Pakistan only lasted for a year. "We lived in a special area on a mountain top. The backyard dropped 600 feet," she said, adding that their food and supplies were dropped from an airplane every three months. The only food she bought from the locals was cabbage. McGrath Splan described life in Indonesia and Bali as fascinating. "Women would go topless and the men never stopped looking," she said. The animals, exotic fish, Komodo dragons, lots of creepy crawlers; were equally intriguing and sometimes came too close for comfort. In fact, son Joe, then 5, once found three baby cobras. During their years in Washington, D.C. the couple attended several receptions and awards ceremonies at the White House. "This one time, La Verne was seated near the wall enjoying the people watching when a blonde lady came over to her and said, 'Look at all those little black cocktail dresses. You and I are wearing the same shade of blue,'" Morgan said. "They chatted for a while and then Mrs. Nixon said she had enjoyed the visit, adding they should have lunch sometime." McGrath Splan also met Eleanor Roosevelt during an event honoring volunteers. She describes the First Lady as an impressive speaker, gracious, sincere and kind. While Patrick and Joe were born in Taiwan, McGrath Splan returned to the U.S. so the couple's daughter could be born in Auburn. Reflecting on those years overseas, Eileen Barone, marvels at her mother's bravery and adaptability. "My mom was a survivalist," Barone said. "She would often tell me, 'You come from hardy stock. Don't you forget it.'" Barone also describes her mother as a fashionista. "She always plans her outfits. She's very fashion-conscious," Barone said. "Needless to say, I was the best-dressed girl in school." Her cousin heartily agrees. "She's always dressed beautifully," Morgan said. McGrath Splan's husband of 43 years died in San Francisco in 1981, following a lengthy battle with lung cancer. She remained in San Francisco for a few years after his death working as assistant to the CEO of the Treasury before deciding to retire and return to her hometown. Back in Rocklin, she connected with her childhood friend, Roy Ruhkala, and joined him in founding the Rocklin Historical Society and becoming the nonprofit organization's first treasurer. Starting a historical society and later establishing the museum, McGrath Splan recalled, was "something that had to be done." She also met and married James Splan. "He was a very nice man," McGrath Splan said. "We were only married for three years. He died of a heart attack." In 2019, McGrath Splan moved into The Pines in Rocklin. "They're wonderful here," she said. McGrath Splan's advice for a long life is simple: "Everything in moderation." Two birthday parties (one at the retirement home and a second at a private residence for family) are planned. Birthday cards can be mailed to 500 W. Ranch View Drive., Suite 209, Rocklin, CA 95765.