Evelyn Gawthrop turns 102 on Sunday. She celebrated with cake and ice cream at Paramount Park senior living center on Friday with friends and family. Evelyn was born in 1907 in Cedar Rapids, Iowa. She moved to California when she was 12 years old. Evelyn attended UCLA and started teaching elementary school in 1928. Her niece, Suzie Corbin, said that Evelyn was Marilyn Monroe’s third grade teacher.  
Gawthrop moved to Turlock two years ago from her home in Torrance. She lived on her own until she was 100 years old. Corbin said that Evelyn’s former students frequently visited her when she lived in southern California. Evelyn calls all of her former students her “kids,” even those who are in their 80’s.