Who says slowing down comes with age?
At a celebration in Dartmouth last month, 87-year-old Maria Connor led the Older Americans Month event honoring 91-year-old Eleanor “Ellie” White—two women who have spent decades giving back to their town and show no signs of slowing down.
In her opening remarks, Connor said she was proud to stand among so many older adults at the Friends of the Elderly event. The luncheon celebrated an Older Americans Month national tradition that began in 1963 under President John F. Kennedy, she said.
“Some of us do not like to be called elderly, a senior, or an older person. I am 87 years old and very proud to be called all of those names,” Connor told the approximately 125 people in attendance. “Our experiences—bad times, good times, beautiful children, grandchildren, great-grandchildren, and great-great-grandchildren—should make us proud of our age.”
The event, hosted with the Council on Aging, took place at the New Bedford Country Club in Dartmouth. Many attendees donned their fanciest hats for the special occasion. Friends of the Elderly, a nonprofit organization, helps raise funds for the Dartmouth Council on Aging.
Eleanor White was selected to be honored at the event for her decades of service to the town, including 18 years as the Dartmouth Town Clerk where she helped countless numbers of residents get their marriage licenses, register to vote, or license their dogs. She retired at age 74 but continues to be a presence in town, volunteering for numerous activities including as secretary of the Friends of the Elderly overseeing communications for the group and helps run the COA thrift shop. She also volunteers for the Dartmouth High School Alumni Association, Red Cross, and the YMCA.
White, who was at the event with her family including husband William White, was unaware she was going to be recognized that day. Despite being part of the group organizing the lunch, she said, “I am shocked,” when it became apparent she was the focus of remarks.
“They all knew,” White said. “I didn’t know. I did not.”
White said she got her start working with then Town Clerk Bill Mosher in the mid-80s when Mosher asked her to help with the Census recording.
“Then after that he said to me, ‘I want you to come in and help us inside.’” she recalled. “So I went in and helped inside and then I was there for a couple of months and he said, ‘Why don’t you just take a job?’”
Special recognition statements were delivered by Michael Jackman representing U.S. Rep. William Keating’s office, Rep. Chris Markey, and Dartmouth Selectman Stanley M. Mickelson, each acknowledging White’s service.
“I think when you look at the life of Eleanor and you realize that volunteering on boards…or working in public service as the town clerk for so long, those are the values that have been instilled upon maybe the 80-year-olds in this group, or the 75-year-olds in this group, or the 70-year-olds in this group,” said Markey.
“But those values from Eleanor, her family and the people she surrounded herself with throughout her life, those are the values that I hope I can instill in my children and make sure that they understand it takes a village to raise children and also to care for our elderly,” he continued.
Connor summed up the contributions of older adults nicely, urging those in the audience to claim their age and wisdom.
“We are not done yet,” she said. “We have a lot of wisdom to pass on to the future generations and they could use our help. So please enjoy being an elder and never get upset when called an older person.”
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