JANUARY 2000 - They've Endured Wars, Depression, Catastrophes And Personal Losses, Yet Their Spirits Remain High - In this millennium edition of the Voice we are honoring several of our members who on January 1, 2000 will hold the very rare honor of having lived in three different centuries - 1800, 1900, 2000.

Arthur French, born on June 20, 1895 in Medina, Ohio. By the time he was 12 he was the "man of the house." Despite this responsibility, Arthur dreamed of going to college. From 1914 to 1916 he worked for the County Surveyor for $2 - $3 a day. He managed to save $1,000 and started college in 1916 at Ohio State University. Shortly after starting college, he was drafted by the Army and was shipped to France where he served in the medical corp. treating doughboys who were gassed by the Germans. "After coming home I returned to Ohio State and graduated in 1921." Following graduation, Arthur went to work at UMass Amherst (formerly Mass. Agricultural College) "where I earned $100 a month." During WWII Arthur was back in France teaching college classes to American soldiers. Arthur returned to UMass following WWII. He retired as the head of the Agriculture Dept. in 1961. While at Ohio State, Arthur met his future wife Edith. Together they had two daughters. Edith passed away in 1985. Arthur is a proud grandfather and great-grandfather. When asked what he does to keep busy, Arthur said, "I play cribbage a couple times a week in a cribbage club. Although I'm legally blind with 20/300 vision, I still do many things for myself, and my doctors feel confident I'll be around well into the 21st century." And so do we Arthur. He now resides in Colorado Springs, Colorado.

Carolina Keyes was born in Italy on October 24, 1899. She came to the U.S. when she was 5. One of 3 children, she grew up in Essex, Ct. She graduated from Bay Path Institute in Springfield and became a teacher in Grovendale, Ct. where she met and married the school principal, Rudolph Keyes. They kept their marriage a secret because female teachers could not marry and continue to teach. She taught until the birth of her daughter. "Guess I couldn't keep that a secret." Together they had 2 children, a boy and a girl. In 1938 they moved to Marlborough, MA. She then began teaching in Harvard, MA and retired in 1968. She drove a car until age 92. Her husband passed away in 1979. She was named Women of the Year in 1993 by the Marlborough Women's Club. Carolina's favorite saying is: "No matter how long I live, I will never be able to do all that I would like to do in my life."

Leon Davis was born on July 6, 1896 in Berwick, Maine. His parents and his seven siblings operated a farm for many years. All the children had chores to perform both before and after school. After graduating high school, Leon entered the Army during World War I and served in France where he played the trumpet in the army artillery band. After discharge, he entered Northeastern U., graduating in 1925. He then went to work for the Mass. D.P.W. as a civil engineer. He owned and flew his own plane during the '30s which he kept at Logan. He met his wife Doris and married her in 1935. Their only child Jon was born in 1937. They were married for forty years and resided in Medford, MA. For hobbies, he built his own working violin, did a lot of skiing and had motorcycles. He liked to drive his Stutz Bearcat, and drove until the age of 99. He neither drank nor smoked. On July 15, 1999 at the age of 103, he received from the French Govt. the National Order of the Legion of Honor (Chevalier) Medal. His parents lived into their 90s. He says he wants to live 2 more years to reach 105. "Don't ask why," he said.

Rafaella DeMichele was born June 9, 1899 in Italy. The name Rafaella was later anglicized to Ruth when she was 13 and working in a stocking factory. Ruth came to the U.S.A. in 1904 with her parents, 3 sisters and 2 brothers. She began school, but had to withdraw at age 13 to help support her family. After graduating from night school she became a nun. She was "extremely happy" in the convent but had to leave to assist with family responsibilities. She obtained a job at the Medfield State Hospital, met her future husband Peter and was married in 1929. The Vasaturos had three children and two foster children. Peter died in 1957 at age 61. Ruth attended Mass everyday at St. Edward's Church (Medfield) and to this day is extremely devout. She has never drank nor smoked and has never driven a car. She says, "I'm in good health but tired. I'm ready to be with God. I want to see Him face to face."

He just made it under the wire as a Three Century Club member. His name is Henry "Hank" Hanson and he was born on December 26, 1899. "My mother told me that she was hoping for a New Year's baby. They gave prizes for kids born on New Year's day and I guess since it would have been the first day of a new century it would have been extra special. I heard the first kid born in Boston that day was given all kinds of stuff," Hank recalled. A gentleman with a sense of humor, Hank also said: "I have no memory, of course, of New Year's 1900 and the way I feel now I probably won't remember New Year's 2000. I joined the Army in 1918 but never made it any farther than England. The Armistice was declared before I could be sent to France," he said. "After the war a friend in City Hall (Boston) got me a job with the city. I worked mostly at Public Works, didn't make much money, but was happy to have a job during the Depression when so many people couldn't find work." Hank never married. "I had lots of dates but was never even engaged. I thought I'd get married sooner or later but before I knew it I was 50 and too set in my ways. I never drank much and stopped smoking 40 years ago. Can't say that I had a very exciting life." And, is Hank excited about living in three centuries. "I never thought much about it until you people contacted me. I guess it's a big deal with most people. Like I said, I don't get excited about things. I leave that to others."

Margaret was born July 23, 1898 in South Boston, MA. Her father died when she was 2 years old and she and her two brothers went with their mother to live with her grandmother. When she was 17, she went to work at a bank. She worked there until the crash in '29 when the bank closed. Later she went to work for the state taxation department and worked there for 30 years. She met her husband Joe through friends. She was then in her 40s and married him in the 60s. She said, "It was love at first sight." Married just 15 years when he passed away, they had no children. She makes all of her own clothes and played the organ for the local church for many years. Margaret has traveled the world seeing all of America and most of the continents. Constantly on the go, since she retired, she often wonders, "How I found time to work." A product of the Depression, F.D.R. was her favorite president. She says her longevity for life is: "Loving her fellow man." Margaret has no regrets in life, no serious illnesses and is still going strong. She enjoys a glass of wine with dinner. She drove a car up to the age of 95 when she said she drove better than most of the youngsters driving today. Her mother, whom she cherished, died at age 84.

Truly one of the most unique and charming individuals we encountered during the preparation of this article is Freda Pasanen. She was born in Worcester, MA on March 31, 1898 - the youngest of 5 children. The positive attitude and cheerful disposition she displays are the result, she says, of the "love and affection I received from my parents, siblings and husband." She met her husband Walter while they both worked part-time in the same building. They married when he got his first full-time job teaching in Malden, MA. The union lasted 70 years until Walter's death in 1992 at age 95. They had no children. Freda says, "My marriage was made in heaven; it was paradise." She goes on to say, "People are not the same today as they were during my day. There is no warmth, they don't give a damn about their fellow man." Freda attributes her long life to her spiritual upbringing. "I pray several times a day to God, and He shows me the way." Freda resides in Largo, Florida.

Rose Lane, born on September 27, 1898 in Greenville, MS, was one of three children. A graduate of Fisk U. in Nashville, TN she majored in Education and English, taught school for a while and took courses at U. of Chicago to get her masters degree. She met husband, Francis Lane a dentist in Jackson, TN, married in Chicago and had two children. Rose says, "Living for all these years seems like a dream, almost like an unreality with all the things that happened in the world for three centuries. I never thought of getting old and had a very interesting life, with wonderful parents who provided me with everything to give me a better life." Her mother made her read every day, and taught her to live without prejudice toward anyone. Married for 13 years, Francis died after a long illness. Rose moved to Boston with her children, worked for DES for about 25 years, retired and then traveled the world. She now lives with her son in Washington, DC. Rose does crossword puzzles and watches the news on TV to keep abreast of world politics. She was in perfect health until 6 years ago when she developed arthritis. The most wondrous thing she ever imagined happening was man's first venture on the moon in 1969, because she said, "Before this happened I always looked up to the moon and thought there was a man on it ever since I was a child." Advice for living to be a hundred, Rose says, "Following the golden rule, do unto others as you want them to do to you."

Longevity runs in this family. Frances was born in Latvia on June 15, 1899. Unmarried, she lived in Concord, New Hampshire for most of those 100 years, with two sisters, one of whom lived to be 99 and the other 93. A graduate of the University of New Hampshire with a Masters Degree, Frances worked for the Division of Employment Security for 34 years, retiring in 1969. She attributes her success as an administrator for DES and her interest in education (she has a scholarship fund named for her at the University of New Hampshire) to a high school teacher who helped her fill out all the application forms, insisting she go on to college. Her secret for longevity: "Work hard, study hard and never be envious."

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Ruth Boyden was born on July 20, 1899 in Woburn, MA Beginning in 1926, she worked for many years as a librarian in Waltham. During this period she met and married her husband Fred, an electrical engineer for Edison. They were married for 42 years until his death in 1969. In early 1940 she began teaching in Stoneham and retired 21 years later in 1961. "I've had a wonderful life, a great husband, wonderful son, terrific grandchildren and great grandchildren," she said. Until breaking her hip in April, she traveled a lot and enjoys music and singing.

Lucy Lentino was born on February 23, 1897 in Ariano, Italy. She came to this country as a young girl, but vividly remembers Ellis Island and the Statue of Liberty. She lived in many communities with her family until she met her husband Joseph. They were married for 60 years. They had 1 son, also named Joseph. Lucy was a resident of Medford for more that 50 years and was previously employed as a social worker for the Massachusetts Department of Education. In addition to being a wife and mother, Lucy's claim to fame was being the official court translator for the Sacco-Vanzetti trial. On her life spanning three centuries, she said, "America has fulfilled all the wonderful dreams a young female immigrant had nearly 100 years ago."

Born in Malden on August 6, 1898, Dan has lived through more than a century of history and been part of it himself. He is, after all, one of the last living members of the 101st Infantry Regiment, 26th Division, with whom he fought in five battles during World War I. He is also the oldest retired firefighter in the state. Upon his return stateside, Kelliher got a job on the railroad as a car mechanic and later operated his own battery shop in Boston. Along the way, Kelliher married a "Medford girl" Sue, and together they had three children. In 1929, Kelliher joined the Medford Fire Dept. During his years with the department, he recalls working the deadly Coconut Grove fire. Kelliher even remembers the night he was called to his own house on Spring St. after a gas powered refrigerator exploded. Luckily no one was injured, but the incident was one the family never forgot. He retired in 1963 after nearly 35 years on the job. Summing up his 100+ years, Kelliher says, "I've been a very lucky guy. I have a wonderful family, and I loved being a firefighter." He is presently living in Port Richey, Florida.

Frank was born November 3, 1898. He looks 20 years younger. He retired after working for many years at Medfield State Hospital. He moved to Phoenix, Arizona 35 years ago because of severe arthritis. He believes the move extended his life. He's a funny fellow with an excellent sense of humor. "I have buried two wives, but I don't think I'll marry again." He still lives alone and does his own cooking and housekeeping without any assistance. He hasn't seen a doctor or dentist in four years. "What's the point in spending money on doctors or medicine at my age," says he. He's had the same eyeglasses for 20 years. "I try to walk a mile every evening when it's cooler. I'm still a Red Sox fan but also follow the Diamondbacks (Arizona team)."

Bella Johnson was born April 18, 1896 in Chicopee, MA. She taught elementary school for 40 years in Chicopee and never married. Bella traveled by herself all over the world. She is the only centenarian who says she actually remembers the New Years Eve celebration at the turn of the last century. She is in reasonably good health, but is losing her sight due to macular degeneration and is hard of hearing. Otherwise she takes no medication whatsoever. She never owned or drove a car and traveled by bus to visit relatives and friends. She did a lot of volunteer work mainly teaching people to read while she was into her 80s. How does she sum up her century plus life? "I did the two things I love most, I taught and I traveled."

Lillian O'Neil was born in Boston on December 4, 1897 - one of nine brothers and sisters, only two of whom ever married. The other seven of them all lived together in their own home in Dorchester. Lillian lived there until her 99th birthday, the last ten years alone, until she sold it. Needless to say, the family was extremely close. Lillian is a very religious, very giving, generous person. She worked 50 years for the Massachusetts Department of Education, retiring in 1967 as head administrator in the Business Agent's Office. Her health, both mentally and physically is unbelievable, which she is convinced is her reward for her faith in God and generosity and love for others. "I look forward to each day and hope that I bring joy and comfort to those I meet," she said.

Dorothy was born in Boston on December 27, 1899. She was married to Bill Fitzgerald for 45 years and they had no children. She was employed by the Appellate Tax Board for 50 years. Her husband was in the real estate business and handled the transaction of James Michael Curley when he purchased his home on the Jamaica Way. Her favorite saying is "old age ain't for sissies." Her belief for her longevity, "Deep faith in God, and the ability to be a good listener." Dorothy is in pretty good health, but is legally blind.

Nora was born in Ireland July 15, 1898. She was married for 40 years to Tom Walsh and together they had 3 children. She worked 30 years for DES. She has a "kid" sister who is still going strong at 98. Her main hobby until her mid 80s was to visit the "Old Sod" every July. She's looking forward to ushering in the New Year.

Bertha was born in Boston on January 20, 1899. She worked in the Registry of Motor Vehicles for 25 years, and ironically never drove a car herself. She has a sister still going strong at age 91. All of her life, she was a physical fitness devotee. Up until several years ago, she walked Revere Beach with a shoreline of 3 miles every day. Bertha never married, but admits with a twinkle in her eye that she had many beaus. When asked why she had never married, she replied, "Why ruin a beautiful friendship."