By Kathryn Wells

Photo by Monique Kuhlman

At 103 years old, Lynn Brandt has witnessed more change in Long Beach than most could

imagine. Sitting in the home she and her late husband purchased in 1948, she reflects on the

city’s transformation, her own journey from New Jersey to California, and the life she’s built over

more than a century.

Brandt and her husband moved to Long Beach just after World War II, drawn by the promise of

a new housing development. “We came down to look at the development, thought it looked very

promising,” she recalls. “There was just one example home at the time, but we knew it was the

right place.” They chose a house on Monlaco Road, then a quiet street bordered by open land

that would later become Wardlow Park.

Over the decades, Brandt has seen Long Beach grow from a postwar suburb to a bustling city.

“How has it changed? How has it not?” she laughs. But despite the expansion, it’s the sense of

community that has kept her here. From raising three children to joining the League of Women

Voters and volunteering at Rancho Los Cerritos, she’s always found ways to stay involved.

As for her secret to longevity, she credits good health habits, discipline, and staying active.

“You have to watch your own habits—eat well, exercise, and don’t overdo it,” she advises. “People take their health for granted, eating too much of what they shouldn’t. All things in moderation.”

Brandt was also an avid swimmer, hitting the water almost daily until just a few years ago. “I love

the water,” she smiles. “It’s the best thing you can do for your body.”

Though her eyesight and hearing have declined, Brandt remains involved in her community, enjoying visits from her son, local events, and even a surprise 103rd birthday party.

“I can’t say I did anything great in this city,” she says humbly. “But I helped where I could, and it’s been a very

satisfying life.”