ROSEBAY STREET’S 100 YEAR-OLD RESIDENT, MIA LIPSKI

Story and Photos by 

Brittany Hart Scholten

Not every street in Long Beach can brag of a centenarian, but Rosebay Street sure can! This September, Mia Lipski, who moved onto the street in 1958 with her late husband, Alexander, celebrated her 100th birthday at her home of nearly seven decades, surrounded by friends, family, and neighbors.

“The neighborhood party meant a lot to her because she has made so many friends there over the years, and she believes that, ‘You shall love your neighbor as yourself,’” shared Mia’s daughter, Irene Howard.

Mia’s heart for service has been a throughline of her life. She worked as a school psychologist, volunteered for many years at Long Beach Memorial Hospital, and led several Girl Scout troops for her daughters and neighborhood girls. Mia and Alexander were also early supporters of the El Dorado Nature Center. “My husband and I were avid nature lovers; all our vacations were always spent camping [in nature],” she added. They were thrilled when the old dairy farm nearby transformed into a walkable retreat for all to enjoy.

When asked about her secret to reaching 100, Mia laughs and says, “It’s not up to me. It is up to a higher power.” She lives by what she calls the “AA Principle,” which stands for “accept and adjust” — a motto she says helps her navigate “the things you cannot change,” which, she adds with a smile, “are numerous when you get to my age.” Irene describes her mom as always having a positive attitude “which keeps her young at heart.”

For Rosebay Street and beyond, celebrating Mia wasn’t just about turning 100; it was about honoring a neighbor and friend who embodies the heart of the Long Beach community.