ITEM PHOTO BY SPENSER HASAK
Theoni Dezerene, who turned 105, looks at the birthday cake that was brought out during the celebration at Saugus Center on Friday.
By BRIDGET TURCOTTE
SAUGUS — Five women celebrated a combined 513 years of life Friday afternoon.
Muriel Fresco, 100, born on March 18, 1917; Marion Rumson, 102, born on Nov. 2, 1915; Nellie Warrington, turning 103, born on Aug. 16, 1914; Margaret Cohen, 103, born on June 20, 1914; and Theoni Dezerene, 105, born on June 20, 1912, celebrated their milestones at a birthday party held at Saugus Center, a nursing and rehab facility on Lincoln Avenue.
“It’s remarkable (to have five people over 100 years old),” said Rumson, who lived in Revere her entire life and worked at Polaroid. “It’s wonderful. I’ve got such a wonderful family. God gifted me. I couldn’t ask for anything better.”
Dezerene was proud to be the oldest birthday girl in the bunch. She said she was impressed with the party.
“It’s quite an idea,” she said. “It brings back good memories.”
A Saugus resident since 1949, Dezerene is a rehab patient who will return home when she regains her strength, she said. She and her 95-year-old friend drove to lunch to celebrate her birthday earlier in the week.
Rosie the Riveter, who worked as a lathe operator during World War II, had a word of advice for younger generations.
“If you pray to God, listen to your parents, and ignore the naughty things, you will be good,” she said. “Go to school and be kind to people. That’s what matters.”
The centenarians gathered with family members over cake and ice cream, brought by state Rep. Donald Wong (R-Saugus). Wong also gave the birthday girls citations from the State House.
“They have seen so much life,” said Wong. “They could teach us a lot.”
Bridget Turcotte can be reached at [email protected]. Follow her on Twitter @BridgetTurcotte.