Priscilla Demers – BIDDEFORD GAZETTE

A Biddeford native is about to celebrate her 100th birthday and still lives on her own

By RANDY SEAVER | Editor

Priscilla Demers of Biddeford will soon celebrate her 100^th birthday with her family.

Ms. Demers is about to celebrate this landmark event the same way that she has lived her adult life with independence, warmth and the love of family.

Now 99 years old, Priscilla still lives alone, continuing to cook (including her legendary Whoopie pies), cleans her apartment and does her laundry – all on her own, according to her family.

Priscilla Demers was born May 22, 1926 in Biddeford.

She’s the oldest of eight siblings, outliving six of them.

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Priscilla’s family recently contacted the Biddeford Gazette, asking if we would share the happy news about Priscilla’s landmark 100^th birthday.

We were happy to oblige that request, and you will find below a story written by Priscilla’s family.

But before we proceed, consider these facts.

When Priscilla Demers was born, Calvin Coolidge was the president of the United States, and the country – though in the midst of the “Swinging ‘20s – was about to be rocked by the Great Depression that literally destroyed families and wiped-out personal bank accounts.

There was no internet then. In fact, a functioning television would not debut until just a few months later; and many people living in Maine did not have indoor plumbing.

George C. Precourt was serving his only three-year term as Biddeford’s mayor. The city’s textile mills were buzzing with activity, attracting immigrant laborers from all over the world.

In May of 1926, — just about the time Priscilla was born — Admiral Richard Byrd and Floyd Bennett claimed the first airplane flight over the North Pole.

The year that Priscilla Demers came into the world was also the same year that many notable historic figures were born, including starlet Marilyn Monroe, Queen Elizabeth II, and Cuban dictator Fidel Castro.

A FAMILY TRIBUTE

(Provided by the family)

Priscilla Demers was married to her beloved husband, Lucien, for 47 years. They had three children: Bob, a very successful business man; Nancy, who left us far too early, worked at the Post Office; and Cindy who is a neonatal nurse.

Most of Priscilla’s life has been centered around her children, five grandchildren and two great grandchildren.

When her husband died, it left a huge void in [Priscilla’s] life. She had been completely dependent on him for so many things.

He was the shopper, took care of the finances and did all the driving. That didn’t stop her, at age 68, she had to learn how to drive, how to write a check and how to make decisions on her own.

With family help, she managed to pick up the pieces and start over.

At 87, she got hit by a car crossing the street. She’ll tell anyone that she was within the crosswalk, she had the right-of-way!

Both legs were broken in several places. That was not going to keep her down!

The many years she had spent taking long walks, sheer determination, and a lot of hard work allows her to walk today. She dislikes it when people remind her to use her cane, she says “that’s for old people!”

She has seen so many changes in 100 years. Growing up in The Great Depression, money was very tight. The family didn’t have a car and they had to stand in line for food supplements. There were many things that were invented in her lifetime that directly affected her life, electrical appliances, cell phones, color televisions, to mention a few.

Like many people of that era, Priscilla quit school to work in local shoe factories, where she made friendships that continued long after she quit working.

Through the years she kept active with a few hobbies. She loved embroidering, doing ceramics and collecting dolls. She loved to travel and attend social gatherings with her family and friends.

Just shy of five-feet tall, this little lady knows her mind and is not afraid to share her opinion with anyone who will listen.

If she is fond of you, you may get a spontaneous hug. She is always very appreciative of anyone who helps her.

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Happy early birthday, Ms. Demers! Please keep using the crosswalks.

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