 |
||||||||
 |
||||||||
|
||||||||
|
Woman turns 101 as United States turns 225
By LEON M. TUCKER
© St. Petersburg Times, ST. PETERSBURG -- Amid jazzy numbers from the 23 Skiddo band Wednesday, residents at the Sunrise at North Shore assisted-living facility strutted around the center's recreation room in red, white and blue party hats and feasted on barbecue in celebration of the nation's independence. But revelers also had another birthday celebration to take part in -- on the day the nation turned 225, Sunrise resident Loretta MacLennan turned 101. A smiling Mrs. MacLennan shuffled through a crowd of singing well-wishers as the band played its rendition of Happy Birthday. After blowing out the big candle atop her cake, MacLennan took her seat next to her husband of 75 years, Duncan. Duncan MacLennan is 102. Mrs. MacLennan and her husband came to live in St. Petersburg in 1956 after retiring from teaching in Chicago. Working in the city's Open Window program, Mrs. MacLennan taught children stricken with tuberculosis and other illnesses that prevented them from going to school. Instead of leaving them behind their normal grade levels, the program allowed children to continue their schooling while they were at home or in the hospital. As for her secret to a long life: "I can't tell you because I don't know," Mrs. MacLennan said. "Just taking care of myself, I guess." The MacLennans continue to lead active lives, according to Sandy Pepple, activity director at Sunrise, on Beach Drive. "They do their own banking and shopping and are very independent," she said. "Compared to a lot of people here that are 88 years old, she's very with it."
 © 2006 • All Rights Reserved • Tampa Bay Times
490 First Avenue South • St. Petersburg, FL 33701 • 727-893-8111 
|
|
