Frances Dalson was honored last month for her 101st birthday with a special party that included three cakes, each with its own number on it to make ''101.''
She has the distinction of being the oldest resident of Renaissance North Nursing Home, where she has been a resident for the past eight years.
The cakes were made by Dalson's nurse, Jean Japuncha, each with a separate number for additional parties.
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Howland Community News / Bob Coupland
Frances Dalson, a resident of Renaissance North Nursing Home in Howland, celebrated her 101st birthday on Nov. 30. She is the oldest resident at the nursing home.
''She is our oldest resident.'' Japuncha, said. ''She is always so upbeat and pleasant. She is a joy to take care of and always has nice things to say about everyone."
Dalson was born on Nov. 30, 1908, in Illinois, and her family later moved to Ohio. She and her late husband, Joseph, lived on a farm and had many animals.
The Dalsons had three sons - Bob and Arthur, who are deceased, and Bill - and she has four grandchildren and two great-grandchildren.
Dalson's husband, Joseph, died in the 1970s.
Dalson's granddaughter, Bonny Gilmore of Howland, said her grandmother loved gardening, cooking, knitting, crocheting and reading and was active at North Mar Church.
''She got married when she was 15 and dropped out of school. She decided to go back and finish her high school education and get her GED,'' Gilmore said, adding the family was very proud of her accomplishment.
According to Gilmore, Dalson's main accomplishment that made her very proud was getting her GED diploma from Howland Schools in 1978, at the age of 70.
''I never thought she would live to be 100, let alone 101,'' Gilmore said. ''She was always very active and when were growing up she played badminton and kickball with us. She made lots of cakes and cookies for the grandchildren. It was always fun to be with her."