Lorraine Root didn’t want a party for her 90th birthday, but her family and friends couldn’t resist
Photos by Ginny Kropf: Ed Neal of Albion, standing, chats with Don Ross of Albion and Lorraine Root during an open house and surprise party Sunday at the Pillars to celebrate Root’s 90th birthday.
By Ginny Kropf, correspondent
ALBION – As she contemplated her 90th birthday, Lorraine Root specifically told her children, “I positively do not want a party.”
On Sunday at the Pillars, Root clearly was happy they did not listen.
Robin Root proposes a toast to his mother Lorraine Root during a party at the Pillars to celebrate her 90th birthday.
“I think it’s very nice,” she said, as more than a hundred family and friends filed in to greet her.
Although her actual birthday isn’t until July 11, the family started celebrating with a wine tour on Saturday.
“She was rocking,” said Heather Maryjanowski, wife of her grandson Mike Maryjanowski. “She was going from 9 a.m. to 9 p.m.”
The former Lorraine Webber grew up in Medina, married Pierson Root and had six children – Rick, Robin, Scott, Dale, Pam and Lisa. All but Rick, who was out of town, were at her party, along with 10 of her 15 grandchildren. One grandchild, Michael, came from Alaska and another, Shannon, came from Denver to celebrate with her. Root also has 12 great-grandchildren.
In addition to family, those who attended were friends Root had made as a lifelong member of St. Peter’s Lutheran Church in Medina, playing women’s softball for 30 years, taking their children to horse club and participating in the Orleans County 4-H Fair.
One of the guests was Ginny Roberts of Medina, with whom Root has been bowling every week for more than 50 years.
She had golfed weekly until recently, and still plays occasionally. She loves gardening.
Family has always been very important to her, and in 2016 a book she worked on for 15 years was published – “Our Roots Run Deep.” The book is the history of the Root, Webber, Curtain and Reboldt families.
“I really didn’t want a party, because I don’t like to be on display, but it was such a wonderful day,” Root said.
