Taber Street’s “Senior” Senior Citizen

April 19, 2011

New Bedford - The oldest female resident of New Bedford can still read the newspaper without glasses. That’s just one of the remarkable things about Margaret (Peg) Folan, who celebrated her 106th birthday this month with a visit from New Bedford Mayor Scott Lang.

A resident of Royal Taber Street Nursing and Rehabilitation Center for the last 11 years, Peg was dressed to the nines for her birthday celebration thanks to two of her long-time caregivers. With their own money, nurse’s assistants Wendy Hilario and Sasha Comacho went out and purchased a fancy dress, open-toed high heeled shoes and jewelry for Peg to wear on her big day, and coordinated with fellow CNA Sue LeBeau, who would be dressing Peg that day, to make sure no detail was left undone.

Peg’s daughter Mary Farry was overwhelmed. “This was done with no expectation of praise or acknowledgement of their lovely gift. And they didn’t tell anybody – unbelievable!”

Peg Folan with Mayor Scott Lang

Peg loves to sing, and her caregivers always try to get her to sing “Red, Red Robin.” They call her name, and Peg will playfully answer “Whaaaaaat?” Said nurse supervisor Grace Pilling, “These girls are super wonderful. They really love their residents.”

Mayor Lang had visited Royal Taber Street earlier this year to say hello to another resident, Maria Silvia, who turns 100 this fall, and was asked about the city’s tradition of presenting a cane each year to New Bedford’s oldest man and woman. The Mayor said the canes had been lost for many years, but promised to revive the tradition, and he was as good as his word when he returned this month to present Peg with a fancy cane, a proclamation and a kiss on the cheek.

“Happy 106th, Peg,” said Mayor Lang. “God bless you and your family.”

Well the family certainly has been blessed with longevity. For years, Peg roomed with her sister, who passed away four years ago at the age of 104. What else is remarkable about Peg Folan, who was born three years before Henry Ford began rolling his Model T automobile off the assembly line? She drove her own car well into her nineties. “And she was a good driver!” says her daughter.

Mary Farry was moved to write Royal’s owner and CEO Jim Mamary about the care her mother receives each and every day.

“I thought you should know what a fine staff you have at Royal Taber, and it is to your credit that you have established an environment that makes life for the residents of Taber significant and valued. Both Sasha and Wendy exemplify what is best in the Taber community.”

Thank you, Mary...and happy 106th, Peg Folan!