The P.E.O. Chapter DY in Sun City West hosted a celebration Dec. 17 honoring member Ruth Friesenborg, who has been a P.E.O. sister for 70 years, having been initiated at age 18.

Normally, a special pin is presented during a ceremony, but that was impossible this year; members have not seen each other in person since March.

Nevertheless, President Anne Baumhover arranged a drive-by celebration, and many sisters joined the fun.

“P.E.O. has been, and is, such a vital organization,” Ms. Friesenborg wrote to her sisters later that evening, “supporting and furthering higher education for all women. What could be more important in this day and age than to help all young women finish their higher education or to pursue an advanced degree?”

Ms. Friesenborg’s experience with P.E.O. started when she was initiated into her mother's chapter at the age of 18. After finishing college and marriage, her husband's work (with General Motors) led to several moves. Then years later, in 1996, her final move was to Sun City West and retirement.