POULSBO — The sounds of Big Band Era music floated through the door of Helen Pettit’s Poulsbo home Aug. 30.

But to this birthday girl, the sound was not nostalgic of her childhood, but rather of her young adult life.

Pettit celebrated her 100th birthday Monday. And she was joined by five generations of her family to mark the occasion. While great-great-grandsons Tanner and Braydon played with the dog in the kitchen, granddaughter Marci Swift cut pieces of cake. Swift, who has been taking care of her grandmother for the last several months, said Pettit has always had excellent health, so helping her celebrate 100 years wasn’t too much of a surprise.

“It’s nice to be able to spend time with her right now,” Swift said. “She keeps me busy. She still likes to go for rides, go places and go shopping. We still have lots of fun.”

Born in Denver, Colo., Pettit has lived in Poulsbo since 1952. For years, she worked in the old Olympic Foods and other local grocery chains and her husband was a piano tuner who built harpsichords. One of his pieces is still on display in her house at the Seabird Mobile Home Park.

“She’s a very fine musician,” daughter Janice Lund explained. “She taught piano and played the violin beautifully. In fact, both of my parents taught music in Eastern Washington at one point.”

Besides music, Pettit has always had a great love of gardening and sailing. In 1945, she sailed to Alaska and in 1946-47 she sailed from Seattle to San Diego.

“Work all winter, go cruising all summer,” Lund explained of her mother’s hobby.

Over the years, the Pettit family lived in California, Oregon, Alaska and Montana before finally settling in Washington. They had two daughters. Swift said having so many generations together Monday was a treat for her grandmother, as family is an important thing for her.

“She’s my best friend — she always has been,” Swift commented. “She’s just as sweet today as she was 75 years ago, I’m sure.”