Our Wing cousin, Edrice Bates, of Saco, Maine, celebrated her 103rd birthday with quite a few surprises from the Wardwell, the senior living community where she resides.
After meeting Edrice when she first moved in and learning her birthday was on the way, Wardwell’s management team worked together to gift Edrice a few of her favorites. She was presented colorful roses from Farmhouse Flowers, a strawberry cheesecake made from scratch by Beth Warren of Wardwell’s kitchen, a Red Sox T-shirt with a baseball cap to match, and a certified letter from the Boston Red Sox acknowledging her birthday and thanking Edrice for being a lifelong fan. Click here.
In addition, the owner of Alex Pizza in Biddeford promised Edrice a pizza when she turned 103. She went the day of her birthday to enjoy it with her good friend, Rebecca Ezzard. Edrice was delighted, saying, “It’s always been the best pizza around.”
And the fun didn’t stop there.
The Wardwell also asked Edrice what her birthday wish would be; she said, “To be able to play Bridge again.” Due to her eyesight, she had not been able to play. The Wardwell purchased two large playing card decks and worked on getting a few of her friends from the local community to join her for a game. Employees gathered around a decorated room where a special Bridge table was set up and cheered “Surprise!” as she walked in. Edrice was incredibly happyand could not believe it. The game was a success and the group plans to meet regularly.
Edrice is originally from Aroostook County, in northern Maine, and lived in Old Orchard Beach, northeast of Saco, for many years. She managed the Bureau of Motor Vehicles in Portland and said, “I bet nobody can say they’ve been retired for 42 years.” She says of all the places she has visited, traveling to the Hawaiian Islands and Las Vegas were the most fun. She played basketball in high school and has always loved baseball, the Red Sox of course being her favorite team. She and her family played ball in the backyard every night after dinner if the weather was nice. She has one son, Erwin (pictured with his mom and wife Elaine – and Santa), two grandchildren, Jarvis and Brian, and three great-grandchildren, Taylor, Cameron and Jacob. Her favorite pastimes are playing duplicate Bridge, listening to books on tape, watching “Wheel of Fortune” and “Jeopardy,” and playing Solitaire and Quiddler.
Edrice says, “You’ve got to do things that stimulate your brain.”
Wing Lineage:
Edrice Wing, Herbert, Hugh, Joseph, William, Gideon, William, Joseph, John, Daniel Wing(e), Rev. John
Adapted from the Portland Press Herald, November 20, 2023