Happy 105th Birthday, Dear Juliet

Wow!  How often do you get a chance to wish someone 105 years old a Happy Birthday?  Not often, to be sure, which is why Mayor Mike McGinn has proclaimed this day, December 16, 2010, as “Juliet Rawlings Day” in Seattle, to honor Wallingford’s University House resident, Juliet Rawlings.

Juliet was born on December 16, 1905 in Montclair, New Jersey.  She attended Syracuse University, majoring in physical education (could that be the secret to a long life?  If so, sign me up!)  Juliet met her husband, Warren Baker Rawlings–a veterinarian and medical researcher–in 1931, and the couple lived in Pennsylvania until 1960, when they moved to Naples, Florida.  The couple had three children.

Along the way, Juliet began her woodworking career, attending the Campbell Folk School in North Carolina, and she became somewhat of a local celebrity, appearing on local television!  She was also a member of the Ikebana organization of Japanese flower arranging for 16 years, and served as president of a women’s club for three years.

In 1987, Juliet and Warren moved to Washington to be closer to their children.  Warren passed in 1993, at the age of 93 and Juliet lived in the Ida Culver House in Broadview until 1998, when she moved to Wallingford’s University House.

I think we’ve just discovered who our oldest neighbor is in Wallingford–and she still looks magnificent, doesn’t she?  Here she’s pictured with her daughter, Audrey.  Have a wonderful day, Juliet, and best wishes to you!