Surrounded by family and friends, she said, “I don’t feel one bit older.” Though she doesn’t like having her picture taken or being the center of attention, she was photographed continuously and both interviewed and filmed by WABI-TV.
The day began with a 10 a.m. Catholic Mass celebrated by Father Dave Raymond of Houlton’s St. Mary of the Visitation Church. He was assisted by St. Benedict’s Deacon Dan Watson, one of Therlie’s longtime friends. Over 25 people attended, including her friend Jon Ellis, who was there to keep a promise.
Ellis had said he would provide lobster and steak from his store, Ellis Family Market, for a surf and turf party if she lived to be 100. She did, and he kept his word.
After mass, more than 40 guests went downstairs to the brightly decorated conference room for a party which was both a birthday celebration and a thank you to Mt. Heights for their excellent care of Ellis’ father, Al Ellis, who was a resident there for 15 years. Outside on the cold, windy day, staff members cooked lobsters and steak to go with the salads and rolls prepared by the kitchen staff. The meal was served to the guests as well as the residents and staff upstairs.
In a room filled with laughter and talk, Therlie sat at the head table with her family. In the background, Ellis’ uncle, Tim Humphrey of Houlton, played music also in fulfillment of a promise. “About two years ago I met her at a singalong when I was here visiting my brother-in-law, Al,” Humphrey said. “Of course, I fell in love with her. I told her I didn’t care what it took or who I’d have to see, I’d play for her on her birthday. So here I am.”
After the meal, various people explained their relationship to Therlie and told anecdotes which revealed details of her life. To Ellis, she is the friend and mentor who came into his life when he was converting to Catholicism before the birth of his first child 15 years ago. He attended Mass at St. Joseph’s Church in Sherman Station where members Therlie and her husband, Leonard, had been married on Dec. 26, 1934. On one of the walls in her room, Therlie now has the crucifix which hung in the church before it was decommissioned.
To her grandson, Mike Sperry, she is the person who taught him “the things that matter most: values and a strong work ethic.” She is also the one who with the help of his grandfather, Leonard, straightened him out when he needed it. “Gram could make a meal out of absolutely nothing and feed anyone who dropped in,” he added. Her cooking was a recurring theme as Deacon Dan described molasses, date-filled cookies which were a “delight” and her granddaughter-in-law Nancy Sperry remembered her chocolate-filled cookies as “perfectly formed and wonderful” though nearly impossible to replicate.
Along with her cooking abilities, the memories of a loving, 69-year marriage were recalled. Therlie met her late husband, Leonard, after he moved with his parents from Eagle Lake to Sherman Station.
“He was the love of my life,” Therlie said.
For most of their married life they remained in Sherman Station where they raised two daughters, Shirley and Jeannie, in a home where everyone felt welcomed. As her grandson Mike said, “When you went to their house, you felt it was your house.”
In helping guests picture what the country was like when Therlie was born in 1917, the eighth of 11 children, her granddaughter-in-law Brenda Stout said that Woodrow Wilson was president, the United States entered World War I, a gallon of gasoline was 24 cents, and the life expectancy was 54 years
She concluded, “The most wonderful thing that happened in 1917 was the birth of Therlia McLellan St. Germaine.” Everyone applauded in agreement.
At the end of the party Tim Humphrey led the singing of “Happy Birthday” and Therlie blew out the candles after wondering aloud if she had enough breath. When she succeeded and everyone cheered, she thanked her guests and said, “I loved all of it.” The guests quickly replied, “We love you, too.”
