Cheshire's Bernice Madigan Marks 112 Years
 Bernice Madigan poses with some of her old friends from Maryland who came to Cheshire to celebrate her birthday. |
The Adams High School graduate marked 112 years on July 24th. She's the 36th oldest person in the world and the 10th oldest in the United States, sharing the same 1899 birthday with the ninth-oldest, Ruth Anderson of Minnesota.
She moved to the farm in 2007 to live with her niece and nephew-in-law, Elaine and John Daniels. Her guests lined up for a few moments with the state's oldest citizen, who patiently greeted longtime friends and, ever the good sport, posed with a big Harley and took a ride in a police cruiser, sirens wailing.
"I like to go fast," laughed Madigan, better known around here as "Aunt Bennie."
It was the fourth year residents of her old stomping grounds in Silver Springs, Md., trekked north to spend the day with her. It's a tradition begun when Madigan was in her 80s and the close-knit neighborhood that adopted her as their matriarch wanted to celebrate her birthday; most didn't think the celebrating would continue for three decades.
She's been awarded governmental certificates and resolutions and received birthday acknowledgements from the President Obama and first lady over the years; this year, new state Rep. Paul Mark stopped by to give his congratulations.
Guests signed a book or memory quilt and Madigan passed out birthday favors inscribed with her motto for a long life: "Never regret getting older, it's a privilege denied many."
"I'm better than I was and I'm getting along fine," said Madigan, seated in a place of honor under a shady canopy. "I don't feel a year older."
She still walks the farm's half-mile long driveway (albeit slowly) on mornings when the weather is nice. "I enjoy that," Madigan said, noting she takes care not to exert herself in the heat. "I know it's not good for me."
Her body may be getting frail but her mind remains sharp, and she spent the afternoon reminiscing with friends.
One described her as a "shining example" of graceful aging. "I don't have the strength to fight it," said the pragmatic Madigan, as she mulled another birthday ahead. "I hope I'll make it."
Tags: Madigan,
