Lillie May Thurston

A 100th birthday party is planned on June 19 for May Thurston. It will be held at the Masonic Hall on Ashlar Ave. at 1 p.m. with family members coming from California, New Hampshire, New Jersey, Virginia, Pennsylvania and Tennessee.

Lillie May Thurston, known to everyone as “May,” was born in Greenfield, N.H., on June 25, 1910 and was the daughter of William Livingstone and Cora Belle White. She married Frederick K. Draper from Vermont with whom she had three children, Frederick Jr., Ada Thompson and Richard B. Draper. Thompson lives in Lehigh.

She moved to New Jersey with her parents, divorced Draper and met and married Henry (Jack) Thurston and they had three more children, William Thurston,

Josephine (True) and Jack, who is deceased.

Thurston has always been an active woman, working at a variety of jobs including school cafeteria cook, truck driver and machinist. She moved to Florida 12 years ago to be near her daughter, Ada, after living alone for many years.

Thurston is a life member of the American Legion, where she has held several offices, including president at the Massachusetts unit; a life member of the VFW Auxiliary in which she was very active both at her Massachusetts unit and here in Lehigh where she served as president and chaplain.

She is a 60-year member of the Rebekah Lodge of the Independent Order of Odd Fellows and is the chaplain of the local lodge. She is a member of the local Methodist Church where she was active in the women’s Circle and the Food Kitchen.

Until the end of last year, she lived independently, always preparing her own meals. She passes her time reading and knitting lap robes for shut-ins and

veterans.

She is currently a resident at the Lehigh Acres Nursing Home and Rehabilitation Center on Lee Blvd., formerly Cross Key. She fell and fractured her hip several weeks ago and is undergoing therapy.

Thurston has six children, 19 grandchildren, 27 great-grand children and eight great-great-grandchildren.

At her party, besides family, there will be representatives from the I.O.O.F.; the Legion Auxiliary; the VFW Auxiliary; the First Community

Congregational Church; the Methodist Church and other friends.

Because she is turning 100, Thurston has received letters and proclamations from U.S. senators, state senators, members of the Florida House of

Representatives, Lee County commissioners and the International President of the Rebekah Assemblies. Each will be read at the party.