Friends created this banner for Barbara O’Brien on her 100th birthday on 7/23/21. Photo by Beth David.
By Beth David, Editor
“I wonder myself how I made it,” said Barbara O’Brien on her 100th birthday. “I don’t have any advice.”
Ms. O’Brien and Beverly Wilson welcomed friends and neighbors to their home for the occasion last week.
One of the neighbors made up a banner and hung it on the fence. There was cake, and balloons, and, of course…chocolate.
“I’m going to sleep very good tonight,” said Ms. Wilson.
Another neighbor took over scallop dinners for lunch.
Ms. O’Brien said she was taken totally by surprise.
L-R: Judy, Judy Dawn, Ann, Bob, Bill, Marty, Kim, Pam, Beverly, gather around Barbara O’Brien (seated) on the occasion of her 100th birthday on 7/23/21. Donna Olney is behind the camera. Photo courtesy of Kim Hyland.
“It was really nice,” she said. “I never expected it. I didn’t know about it. I had a feeling that different ones would drop in. I couldn’t believe people showed up.”
She said it was a “perfect day,” just “sitting with long time friends.”
“We’ve got a lot of good neighbors,” said Ms. Wilson.
They all keep an eye out for each other, with Ms. Wilson not missing much from her perch in the window.
Ms. O’Brien still had a big smile on her face as she cuddled with their precious poodle Beau in her lap, after everyone had left. The balloons and other party paraphernalia were still evident.
Ms. O’Brien said no one in her family had lived to her age, so she had not idea why she made it so far.
“I have no advice,” she said. “I don’t know how I happened to make it. Nobody in my family lived to be ‘elderly.’”
The two have lived together for years, and have enjoyed all the ocean has to offer over the years.
But, mostly, the best part about West Island, they said, is the people.
“It was a nice neighborhood gathering,” said Ms. O’Brien.
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