On May 7, Oxford resident Clarice Williamson reached quite a milestone in not only her life, but in anyone’s life ? she turned 100 years old.
‘I can’t believe I am (100),? Williamson said. ‘I don’t feel any different.?
‘She’s pretty sharp for 100,? said daughter Marj Mihalyfi, a retired Oxford teacher.
To celebrate her new status as a centenarian, about 80 members of Williamson’s family from around the United States and Canada gathered in Oxford Saturday afternoon for a birthday party at Mihalyfi’s home on Indian Knoll Dr.
‘They didn’t forget me,? she said with a big smile.
Her two brothers traveled from Ohio and West Virginia to help her celebrate. One brother, Gordon Mathie, was Oxford High School’s band director from 1954-59.
Williamson was born in Wales, Great Britain in 1907. At age 3, her family moved to Toronto, Canada.
Later, she lived in Windsor and worked in Detroit as a telephone operator for the Bell Telephone Company.
‘I used to cross (the Detroit River) on the ferry,? Williamson said.
She spent most of her life living in the Downriver Area.
For many years, Williamson worked at Kern’s department store in downtown Detroit until it closed in December 1959. Her favorite part of the job was the ‘Christmas rush.?
Married at age 21, Williamson and her late husband, Harry, were together for 41 wonderful years and raised three children.
Over the years, her family grew to include nine grandchildren, eight great-grandchildren and one great-great-grandchild.
Williamson moved to the Village of Oxford in February 1985 to be near her daughter.
Twenty-two years later she continues to maintain an independent life-style.
‘She still lives on her own,? Mihalyfi said.
When asked to what she attributes her longevity, Williamson replied ‘hard work? and a ‘good family.?
‘I’ve been very lucky,? she said.