Goldie was raised in Barr Township, Cambria County, Pa. In 1936, she was an employee at the Penn-Alto Hotel, in Altoona, Pa., and was a school teacher. Although she celebrated her 100th birthday, she did not actually achieve it. The family had an advance party on November 6, 1999, because of a planned festival at her residence at Garvey Manor, Hollidaysburg, Pa., that conflicted with the real birthday. Goldie then passed away on November 12, ten hours short of her actual birthday.

Leonard was raised in Carroll Township, Cambria Co., Pa. He and Goldie initially lived and worked on the Anthony Farabaugh farm on Patton Road in Clearfield Township, but by 1930 Leonard was a grocery store manager and the family had relocated to Altoona. He managed A & P stores. He later worked as a laborer and mechanic. He and Goldie settled at Red Hill in Altoona, Pa.