May Bill turned 100 on Saturday, Nov. 28, and the village of Forest Park celebrated with her.
Well-wishers paraded past her house on foot and in cars, waving and wishing her a happy birthday. The street was blocked off, and a truck from the Forest Park Fire Department led the drive-by.
A resident of the community for 88 years, Bill has been active in village life. She served on the library board for 24 years and donated years of her time to the VFW and Eagles.
As John Rice wrote in a recent column, Bell hasn’t been slowed down much by her age.
“No glasses or hearing aids and she gets regular dental check-ups. May stopped driving last November, after 83 years on the road — with no tickets. She lived on her own, until her daughter, Janet Fink, moved in last year. May’s mind is sharp, and she still balances her checkbook to the penny.”
The celebration was attended by family, including her two grandchildren and three great-grandchildren and her daughter, Janet Fink, who organized the parade.
Mayor Rory Hoskins attended to wish Bill a happy birthday and to read a resolution on behalf of the village.
“It’s nice to come together to honor your life and the impact you’ve had on the commmunity,” Hoskins said.
He mentioned how he himself, as a child, had known two of his great grandparents.
“To see that longevity was important to me,” Hoskins said.
