GUILDERLAND — Irene Siebert, a quiet and gentle woman, had a quiet celebration for her 103^rd birthday on Tuesday.

She was born in Albany on Aug. 17, 1907 and grew up on a farm on Pine Lane off of Rapp Road.

She met her husband, Ernest Seibert, when they were both students at the little red schoolhouse that gave Schoolhouse Road its name.

Their daughter, Evelyn Fink, later worked at the schoolhouse when it became a children’s clothing store. The building has since been torn down.

Mrs. Seibert worked at several different jobs over her long lifetime — making shirts at Munson’s Factory in Troy, working for the state’s Department of Agriculture and Markets; and later at the State Bank in Albany. She retired from the bank as a supervisor in 1972.

She lived in her Church Road home, next to her daughter’s house, until she was 101. She now lives at Our Lady of Mercy Center in Guilderland.

“She is the oldest member of the McKownville Methodist Church,” said her daughter. “She has gone there since she was 9 years old.”

Mrs. Siebert has a granddaughter who lives in North Carolina, Dr. Lisa Prusinski, and two great-grandchildren, Ryan and Regan Bellan.

“We’re having a family party at my house for her,” said Mrs. Fink.

The small family gathering will suit her. “My mother is a very quiet, gentle person,” said Mrs. Siebert. She is easygoing, and caring. She never raised her voice.”

She concluded, “She has a smile for everyone, whether they deserve it or not.”