And they were both born in Newark, N.J., just three days apart. That was in 1903.

But though they share the same hometown, the two never knew each other until recently moving to the Saratoga Retirement Center.

The two centenarians both exhibit a vitality not usually associated with their age, exhibiting sharp, detailed memories and unassuming wit. But the similarities don't end there.

Evelyn and Laura were each forced to quit school at an early age to take care of family when tragedy struck, and both moved out West to follow young family members involved with computer enterprise.

To celebrate Laura and Evelyn's birthdays, on April 23 and 26, respectively, the retirement center held a Century Party on April 24, which featured cakes, a band, and dancing.

"They gave us a wonderful party," Evelyn says, but adds shyly, "I'm not used to notoriety or the limelight. I'm really a person who sits in the background. I'm not a party girl."

Evelyn was born in Newark to a jeweler father and homemaker mother, growing up in the suburbs of Irvington and Union. At 15, she went to a training school and after several months began working as a stenographer for Crocker Wheeler. Evelyn says she enjoyed working, and was frequently promoted over the next four years. Making a "thrilling" salary of $9 a week, she was on the verge of a big promotion when her mother called one day, and told her to come home because she was sick. Evelyn returned home to stay, keeping house for her father and two brothers. "Girls didn't say anything back then," she says, adding that she often wonders what would have happened had she had been able to remain in her job. Six months after coming home, her mother died, and Evelyn took over full-time as the housemother.

Six months after her mother's death, Evelyn married Arthur Wolf, a local boy she had known for years. Arthur moved into her family's home, as he was an orphan with little money from his family hardware business.

In 1929, the Wolfs welcomed their first child and bought their first home. It was fortunate they secured themselves, as the stock market crash soon followed.

"It was a struggle at first," Evelyn says. "And the '30s were hard. But we managed to keep the house. We enjoyed our home, but couldn't do anything." The Wolfs only had one child because she says "the Depression came and we had to worry about that. It was not easy getting through those years. But my husband was very well known in town, so the banks were lenient with him."

By World War II, life picked up, Evelyn says. She participated in a bowling club and was very involved with church activities, although she never considered herself a religious person.

Evelyn vividly remembers the first car—a Ford—that she and her husband purchased. Although her husband "did not believe in women driving," she found a male friend who would teach her how to drive. Soon after receiving her license, Evelyn was in an accident and that was the end of her driving. Evelyn says she regrets never getting back behind the wheel. "I'm sorry I couldn't stick to it," she says. "I just didn't have the spunk for it."

In 1980, Evelyn and her husband moved to California, following her son who had moved to Saratoga for a career in computers. Evelyn says her son, Arthur Jr., quickly decided on Saratoga because "he has a knack for knowing where to look and find a place."

The Wolfs moved to a mobile home park in Sunnyvale, where they lived for seven years. "We wanted to be near family," she says. "When you're that old, you don't know when you are going to die." And in 1987, Arthur did die—at the age of 85, after 64 years of marriage.

Evelyn moved in with her son, and was still active as ever. She housesat for the family as they vacationed, keeping up with watering, raking, and making applesauce. It wasn't until an accident with the family dog that left her with a broken arm and hip that she had to live in an assisted facility. She wrote the retirement center herself and, after a visit, decided to move in.

"I feel good," she says, eyes bright and smiling. "If everyone feels like I do at 100, I'd say to turn 100. I remember an awful lot—my childhood, my family ... my memories are still there but the names are hard to remember now. But somehow or another I manage."

Laura Hancock has only lived in Saratoga for two years, but has spent the last 12 years living in California after moving from the East Coast.

Laura was born in Newark, but grew up in East Orange with a butcher father, homemaker mother and two younger siblings. At 12, Laura quit school because her mother died and she had to take care of the house. And when she was 19, her father died suddenly, leaving Laura to raise her younger brother and sister.

Three years later, in 1925, Laura married Robert James Hancock. The two had started dating while her father was still alive. "I was attractive, a superb dancer, and popular with the boys," she says happily. And as such, her father made sure boys were gentleman—coming to the door to take her out and greeting him. Robert was one of those boys, and upon the death of Laura's father, he quickly took to supporting her. Laura lights up as she remembers, "Robert came to my door with open arms and said, 'I'm going to take care of you now.' "

Robert became a banker in New York, and the two had their first child, Elizabeth, in 1929, and their second, Marylee, in 1939. Like most other families, they felt the effects of the Depression and wars, but Laura says they were able to maintain fairly well.

The couple resided in New Jersey for many years until Robert retired and they moved to Cape Cod, Mass. Laura vividly remembers decorating the large house by hand, sewing all the curtains and selecting antique mahogany furniture, perfectly arranging it for the family that frequented the vacation spot.

In 1980, Robert died at the age of 80, after 55 years of marriage. Laura decided to move to California to be with her daughter Marylee and her husband, who was involved with a large computer company. Despite her daughter living in Saratoga, Laura lived in Turlock for 10 years, awaiting a retirement center to open near her family. Two years ago, she moved to the Saratoga Retirement Community. It is different than any place she has lived, but she says she is adjusting, although it is difficult to live without her husband. "I really had a good life until my husband died," she says. "That changed everything."

Laura has obviously been a very independent woman throughout her life—as she speaks frankly and openly—and although she regrets losing her husband, she tilts her head back and says matter-of-factly, "I have lived through some hard times. But I survived. I'm tough. That's why I'm 100 years old."