Centenarians

Eleven people associated with our class have lived to 100 years. Here are their names and some details about their lives. May our lives be as long and as fulfilling as theirs!
 
Mrs. Doris Anderson
(Aug. 30, 1922 - Oct. 24, 2023)
 
 
 
Mrs. Anderson in 1970 and later in life.
 
Mrs. Anderson served as a secretary at ELHS and as a bookkeeper in the office of the Superintendent of Public Schools. She passed away at the age of 101. Please click here for her life tribute.
 
Mr. Melville "Roy" Anderson
(Aug. 25, 1922 - Apr. 12, 2023)
 
 
Mr. Anderson during his time as a Massachusetts State Trooper.
 
The father of classmate Jayne Anderson, Mr. Anderson passed away just shy of eight months after celebrating his 100th birthday. He was a Gunner's Mate 3rd Class Petty Officer during World War II, seeing action in the Atlantic and Pacific theaters. He went on to a long career as a Massachusetts State Trooper from 1947-1971, where he attained the rank of major and served as the Commander of Western Field Operations.
 
Mr. Kenneth "Ken" Blaisdell
(May 21, 1917 - Jan. 28, 2018)
 
 
 
Mr. Blaisdell during World War II and later in life.
 
The father of classmate Nancy Blaisdell Kotowitz, Mr. Blaisdell passed away eight months after celebrating his 100th birthday. He was a pilot during World War II.
 
Mrs. Pauline Borodkin
(Nov. 14, 1915 - Dec. 31, 2015)
 
 
 
Mrs. Borodkin in 1963 and later in life.
 
The mother of classmate Koby Borodkin (in our class from first through ninth grades), Mrs. Borodkin passed away a month and a half after celebrating her 100th birthday. She resided in Cumberland, RI. During World War II, she worked in the British Ministry of War Transport. Following the war, she went to work as a librarian at the New York Public Library, and then at the East Longmeadow Public Library.
 
Mrs. Doris Cruikshank
(Jul. 8, 1910 - Jan. 18, 2012)
 
 
Mrs. Cruikshank served as the secretary to the superintendent of East Longmeadow Public Schools. She passed away at the age of 101. Please click here for her life tribute.
 
Mrs. Grace Dickinson
(Aug. 29, 1919 - Aug. 30, 2019)
 
 
The mother of classmate Henry Dickinson, Mrs. Dickinson passed away one day after celebrating her 100th birthday. She resided in Manchester, NH. During her time in East Longmeadow, she worked at Forbes & Wallace, Shawmut Bank, and J. C. Penney.
 
Mrs. Nathalie Fiske, R.N.
(Dec. 1, 1910 - Mar. 14, 2016)
 
 
 
Mrs. Fiske during our school years and later in life.
 
Mrs. Fiske served as a school nurse from 1961-1967. She passed away at the age of 105. Please click here for her life tribute.
 
Mrs. Estelle Krause
(Jun. 1, 1917 - Jun. 30, 2019)
 
 
 
Mrs. Krause in 1977 and in 2016.
 
Mrs. Krause taught English at Birchland Park Junior High School from 1961-1987. She passed away at the age of 102. Please click here for her life tribute.
 
Mrs. Janet Lemieux
(Feb. 13, 1923 - Apr. 18, 2023)
 
 
The mother of classmate Pat Ryan Normand, Mrs. Lemieux passed away two months after celebrating her 100th birthday.
 
Mrs. Ruth Owen
(Jan. 15, 1924 - present)
 
 
 
The mother of classmate David Owen, Mrs. Owen is seen here in 1983 and on her 100th birthday.
 
Mr. Henry "Hank" Vagts
(May 5, 1918 - Apr. 17, 2020)
 
 
Mr. Vagts on the occasion of his 100th birthday in 2018.
 
The father of classmate Gail Vagts Manning, Mr. Vagts passed away at the age of 101. During our time in high school, he owned and operated Mr. Henry Hair Stylists on Maple St.