The Daily Item, Sunbury, PA

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  • Evelyn Lane

    Maria Joseph Manor Resident Turns 103

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February 4, 2013

Maria Joseph Manor Resident Turns 103

The Daily Item

DANVILLE — Asked to comment about turning 103 years old, Maria Joseph Manor resident Evelyn Lane said she is simply a happy person who is “amazed” to have lived this long, especially since she is still “up and around.” She thinks the fact that she has never been prone to worrying or complaining may have something to do with her longevity. “I think a positive attitude helps,” she added. “But really it is the Good Lord who is keeping me here.”

Mrs. Lane celebrated her 103rd birthday surrounded by friends at the personal care home where she lives, on Jan. 29. The Michigan native has only lived in Pennsylvania for the past 10 years, but shares that she “loves it here,” and has “met many great friends” at Maria Joseph Manor. She also has family who live in the Danville area and come to visit or take her out, including her son Jerry and daughter-in-law Charlotte Lane. The mother of two (her daughter and son-in-law live in Michigan) now counts among her family several grandchildren, numerous great-grandchildren, and two (soon to be three) great-great-grandchildren.

Besides raising two children with her husband George, who passed away at age 82, Lane also worked as a school teacher for almost three decades. Her first job, at age 18, was teaching at a one-room schoolhouse. Later, she completed coursework for teacher certification and worked as an elementary school teacher.

Today, Mrs. Lane said she enjoys going out to lunch or breakfast, does crossword puzzles, and follows college football and basketball on television. Other than using a walker due to balance issues, she is still self-reliant in most ways and has no major health issues. “I never thought I’d live this long, but here I am. And I’m still the happy person I always was.”

 

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