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Letter to the editor

100-year birthdays

By Times Staff Writer
Published July 4, 2004

Loretta MacLennon was born July 4, 1900, in Grand Blanc, Mich., to parents Elmer and Anna (Purcell) Prescott. One of four girls, Loretta did try to be a bit of a boy for her father. That might just account for her lifetime interest in sports and her special love for baseball.

She graduated from Ipsilanti State College in Flint, Mich., with a degree in education. When the Detroit school system offered a special "open windows" program for students who, because of long illnesses, had gotten behind in their schoolwork, she stepped up to the plate. She taught school for 30 years. She still gets cards and letters from former students.

She married Duncan MacLennon, an immigrant from Scotland, in a small church ceremony on June 26, 1926, in Detroit. He was an interior designer in the Detroit area. They moved to St. Petersburg in 1956 and did a lot of traveling in the years before his death on Feb. 5, 2001. At the time of his death, the MacLennons had been married nearly 75 years. When recently asked how they managed to get along all those years, she pointed to a difference between their temperaments, indicating that "Mac" had a bit of a quick temper. "I didn't."

Mrs. MacLennon retains her membership in the Snell Isle Woman's Club, the Retired Teacher's Association of Detroit and the First Presbyterian Church of St. Petersburg.

And, for those who have a hard time imagining a centenarian's day, she might point out that her time is spent doing the same kinds of things many of us do. She still balances her checkbook, visits with friends and neighbors, reads the Times daily from front to back, does a little needlework and checks out the baseball scores. Her favorite team is the Atlanta Braves, but she has recently been very proud of the Tampa Bay Devil Rays.

- We think that living 100 years is worth our taking notice. If you or a family member is about to celebrate a 100th birthday or more, please let us know. Include the following information: the person's full name, date of birth, place of birth, parents' names (including mother's maiden name) if known, name of spouse (if applicable), marriage date, names of children and number of grandchildren (if applicable), length of time the person has lived in this area and a phone number in case we have questions. Also, please include a photo that doesn't need to be returned. We'll publish the information as close to the birthday as possible. Send the information to 100-year Birthdays, St. Petersburg Times, P.O. Box 1121, St. Petersburg, FL 33731-1121 or fax to (727) 893-8675.

[Last modified July 4, 2004, 01:00:39]