Now that she's turning 100, Jean Wiegand Lutz is older than some of the hymns she played from memory as organist and director of music for Mt. Lebanon Christian Church.

Jean Wiegand was born on Groundhog Day, Feb. 2, 1906, in Butler, the oldest of two children. She began playing the piano before her feet could reach the pedals, and she switched to the organ as a young woman. She majored in French at Wells College in Aurora, N.Y., and graduated in 1928.

In 1955, she married Karl Lutz and helped to raise his two sons, John, now deceased, and Jeff, who lives in San Diego. Mrs. Lutz and her husband enjoyed golf and travel in the United States and Europe. After he died, she moved to Asbury Heights Village, where she still lives.

She was the church's director of music for 16 years and a longtime volunteer at St. Clair Hospital. In 2004, Mrs. Lutz was named Woman of the Year by the East Liberty Family Health Care Center.

She has six grandchildren, five great-grandchildren, six nephews, 25 great-nieces and -nephews and eight great-great-nieces and -nephews. On Thursday, she will celebrate at Peter's Place restaurant with about 50 friends and relatives.

Since her eyesight is so poor that someone will have to read her this article, we can reveal her gift without ruining the surprise: a hard-bound book with photos of everyone in her family and their favorite Bible verses.

"She is very spiritual," said Kay Wiegand, wife of nephew Roger Wiegand of Sewickley. "She is the most positive person I have ever met."

First Published: January 31, 2006, 5:00 a.m.