To the editor:
With the 100th birthdays of two local residents, Martha Boggs and Woody Verge, it got me to reflecting about the people I have been privileged to know who have also reached 100 years, all remarkable, each in their own way. I believe people are living longer due to medical breakthroughs and our quality of life.
Of course, most of us know Martha and Woody. For reasons of privacy I omitted the last names of the other centenarians.
I remember the following: Helen, 107 years, mother of a family member; Dora, 104 years, mother of a friend; Mary, 103 years, a dear friend of over 50 years; Sally, 100 years, a friend; Carol, 101 years, my sister; Isabelle, 100 years, a first cousin; and Clara, 103 years, a friend.
Some readers may remember Clara Storm, who wrote a column for the LCN for many years. Clara was born in Germany and emigrated to the United States just before World War II. Clara married an American and for many years lived at The Lincoln Home in Newcastle and wrote a column for the LCN. I read Clara’s columns and wanted to meet her. Her columns were always upbeat and interesting.
Clara was a joy to know. She would tell me of her early life in Germany and the influence her parents had on her life. She was a mentor to me and to others.
Clara died in 2005, a life well-lived.
Mary Lee Merrill
Warren
