Dolly “Nanny” Walwer, famed for hosting garage sales, celebrates her 100th birthday in San Antonio, receiving a city proclamation and honors.
SAN ANTONIO — She’s the queen of garage sales. A neighborhood legend. And now, she’s hit triple digits!
Dolly “Nanny” Walwer turned 100-years-old on Tuesday and the City of San Antonio made sure her crown was shining for the occasion.
“The City of San Antonio proudly recognizes and celebrates the remarkable life and enduring legacy and countless contributions you’ve made to this community,” said City Council District 3 Constituent Services Director Salvador Valdez, who presented a proclamation at Walwer’s home on Spokane Road.
At 2615 Spokane Road, the usual garage sale bins were packed away—but the front yard was still filled with family, friends and purple decorations, honoring Nanny’s favorite color.
“On behalf of Councilwoman Phyllis Viagran, we would like to give you this Point of Personal Privilege on this day, July 2, 2025,” Valdez continued.
Walwer, affectionately known as Nanny, has lived a century of service, hard work and community love. She is most famously known for hosting neighborhood garage sales for the past 60 years.
And while she now joins the centenarian club, her fire hasn’t dimmed.
“How’s it feel? Listen, getting here is pretty rough, I’ll tell ya,” Nanny said. “’You can’t do this. You can’t do that.’ But I’m gonna do it!”
She’s been the heart of her east-side San Antonio neighborhood for generations—fixing what’s broken, helping her neighbors and passing down her work ethic to children, grandchildren and great-grandchildren.
“If you sit, you die,” she famously told her family during a previous interview.
Even distant cousins, connected through Ancestry.com, showed up for the big day—proving that Nanny’s reach goes well beyond the neighborhood.
“I would see him and he’d say, ‘You don’t know me.’ Oh yes I do!” she laughed while recalling one reunion moment.
When asked the secret to living 100 years?
“Just be happy. Just be happy. You can’t beat that,” she said.
In a city full of garage sales, one front yard has always stood for something more: family, community and legacy.
As part of Tuesday’s recognition, San Antonio District 3 officials also announced they’ll be covering Nanny’s garage sale permit for the year.
And something tells us she’s not done yet.
