It’s a heartwarming celebration for Marguerite Koller, a 99-year-old woman from Pennsylvania, as she recently met her 100th great-grandchild. To put this into perspective, most of us can’t even imagine having that many family members, let alone great-grandchildren. Marguerite is truly blessed with a large and loving family.
Meet Marguerite “Peg” Koller
Marguerite, lovingly known as Peg, has spent her entire life in Pennsylvania. While she once considered becoming a nun, her dreams of having a big family took precedence. In 1942, she married William Koller, and together they raised 11 children. William Koller is best known for founding a funeral home in Philadelphia.
Dreaming of a Big Family
Marguerite always hoped for a large family, and with 11 children, her dream became a beautiful reality. Over the years, her family has expanded to include 56 grandchildren. And recently, she welcomed her 99th and 100th great-grandchildren. Despite losing her husband in 2008, she continues to invest all her love, energy, and time into being the matriarch of her huge family. Her family says that one of the “secrets” to her long life is working out twice a day and the unwavering support of their family. Soon, she will celebrate her 100th birthday, and the birth of her great-grandchild is a fitting and symbolic testament to the incredibly full life she has led.
The Lucky Parents
Christine and Patrick Balster are the proud parents of the 100th great-grandchild, born just days after another great-grandchild. Christine, who adorably calls Marguerite “grandmom,” shares a special bond with her family matriarch. The youngest great-grandchild, Koller William, arrived a week after his due date on August 4th, 2022. Weighing over nine pounds, his birth brought immense joy and gratitude to Marguerite. Koller has an older brother named Griffin David, named after Christine’s late brother. The sentimentality behind the name Griffin is unknown, but Christine shared that the naming decision held great emotion and gratitude.
A Meaningful Name for Great Grandchild 100
Patrick Balster revealed that they wanted to choose a name equally significant to honor the family. Combining Marguerite’s late husband’s name, William Koller, with their own surname, they decided on Koller William. They kept the name a secret until after his birth. When the family discovered the name, their hearts were filled with love and support. It was even more special because Koller William happened to be the 100th great-grandchild. Christine expressed her joy and pride in an interview with Good Morning America, saying, “[It was] so much love, so much support immediately once we revealed what his name was, and even more special that he was the 100th great-grandchild. So the timing was just right.”
A Family Full of Love and Joy
The arrival of great-grandchild 100 and his cousin has brought immense love and joy to the Koller family. As they prepare to celebrate Marguerite’s 100th birthday in November, they are looking forward to sharing these precious first moments with their family. With over 170 members, the Koller family is a close-knit and supportive unit. Marguerite’s excellent health and active lifestyle can be attributed to her presence in her family’s lives and their strong religious beliefs.
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