Orchard Manor celebrates centenarians
Photo and article from Orchard Manor
MEDINA – Orchard Manor celebrated the 102nd birthday for Marian Boyle (center) with a party today. Two other residents – Louise Cockram and Grace Allen – also have topped 100 years old, and they have birthdays this month.
This photo shows, front row, from left: Laurie Seager, activity assistant; and and Kayla Williams, activity aide. Second row: Louise Cockram, Marian Boyle, and Grace Allen. Back row: Jamie Murphy, activity director; and Dave Denny, administrator.
Residents and staff gathered to celebrate Marian Boyle’s 102nd birthday at Orchard Manor Rehabilitation & Nursing Center. The facility has three centenarians, all having birthdays in the month of August.
Louise Cockram will be 106 on Aug. 28. When she was born in 1909, the mayor of Tokyo presented Washington, D.C. with 2,000 cherry trees which President William H. Taft had planted near the Potomac River. The Indianapolis Race Track opened, and eggs were $.14 a dozen.
Louise Cockram lived in West Bergen, where she raised her family. She recalls baking cookies, cakes, and pies to sell. She also made clothes for her family. She learned how to knit and crochet from her teacher, after school. Louise says she has no secret to her longevity. She continues to do Physical Therapy and still loves to play bingo.
In 1913, when Marian Boyle was born, the 16th Amendment to the Constitution was ratified, authorizing the Federal government to impose and collect income taxes. Ford Motor Company introduced the first moving assembly line, and the price of milk was $.35 a gallon. Marian Boyle was welcomed into the world on Aug. 6 in Shelby Center and was baptized at Trinity Lutheran Church of Medina.
Also known as “Jimmy” or “Gumby”, Marian married her sweetheart in 1936. She enjoyed being a housewife and raising her family. Her hobbies included refinishing furniture, cooking & baking, knitting & crocheting.
Marian continues to enjoy moving around in her wheelchair, attending various activities and musical programs, and of course, her coffee & cookies.
In 1914, World War I began. The world’s first red and green traffic lights were installed in Cleveland, Ohio and the cost of a first class stamp is $.02. On the 8th day of August that year, Grace Allen was born.
On a recent trip down memory lane she recalled growing up in Oakfield, graduating high school in 1932. She wanted to go further in school to perhaps study English or French, but didn’t go to college.
She did, however, write West Barre news articles for the Batavia Daily News and the Medina Journal Register. Grace said that her secret to living a long life is hard work. She recalls family liking her good cooking and doing a lot of canning for winter meals. She never made much of her birthday, saying that it’s just another day. But, Grace will indeed have a slice of birthday cake this year.
