The Hilltowner: Windsor Celebrates Its Eldest Resident

By Noah Hoffenberg
iBerkshires correspondent
07:20PM / Saturday, August 15, 2009

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Evelyn C. Maier turned 100 on Friday, becoming Windsor's oldest resident.

WINDSOR, Mass. — Evelyn C. Maier gave herself a different kind of present for her 100th birthday: a broken neck.

Maier, who turned 100 Friday and is now Windsor's oldest resident, lost her balance and fell on Thursday, the day before she began her journey into her next 100 years.

"These drunkards are all alike," joked Maier in a telephone interview Friday.

A party in Maier's honor was held at the town hall Saturday from 1 to 4 p.m. with a potluck, a giant cake and singing, but no gifts at family's request.

(If anyone has pictures of the party they'd like to share, send them to info@iberkshires.com.)

Guests were, however, invited to bring some canned goods that Beaulieu — also treasurer of the town's Council on Aging — will donate to a local food bank.

For the past seven years, Maier has lived with her sole adopted daughter, Patricia Beaulieu, 67, of Flintstone Road.

"I've said to other people, if I had to go into a room full of moms and pick one off the shelf, I couldn't have done better," said Beaulieu.

In spite of the broken bone in her neck, which is being supported by a brace, Beaulieu said her mother keeps her chin up and is primed and ready to celebrate her birthday with the town.

"She's hurting, but not she's not doing badly. She's sitting here opening one birthday card after another. She definitely is a trouper."

A couple of friends sent her cards with $100, one dollar for every year that she's been alive, Beaulieu said.

Maier loves TV, and especially enjoys going to musical theater in the region. She also likes to play the slots at Foxwoods casino in Connecticut.

Never a drinker, smoker or overeater, she was up until recently an avid walker. Maier is well-traveled, having seen every U.S. state and much of the rest of globe.

Most recently, Maier lived in Monterey, Calif., for about 35 years. Prior to that, she and Beaulieu lived in Brookline and Springfield, as well as in Berkshire County, working in the garment industry with her former husband.

"So here she is, healthy as a horse," said Beaulieu. Maier — whom family members call "Freddy" — said she's attributed her longevity to "keeping busy."

Beaulieu said Maier was one of 13 children, born the biggest at 13-plus pounds but turned out to be "the runt of the litter." She has one surviving brother, Walter Curtis, 89, of Richmond, Va. They drove down and celebrated a dual birthday last month.

Got Hilltown news? Contact Noah Hoffenberg at hoff1013@gmail.com.